Title: Surface modification of TiO₂ nanorod arrays with Ag₃PO₄ @ PANI nanoparticles for enhancing photoelectrochemical performance

Authors: Rong He; Xiuquan Gu; Yulong Zhao; Yinghuai Qiang

Addresses: School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China ' School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China ' School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China ' School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

Abstract: In this work, Ag₃PO₄@PANI particles with a core/shell structure were deposited onto the oriented TiO₂ nanorod arrays (NRAs) by a facile dipping route, in order to enhance the visible-light response as well as photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of TiO₂ samples. Furthermore, the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the composites (TiO₂ photoanodes) were evaluated by a number of techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Meanwhile, on/off photocurrent response, and impedance spectroscopy measurements as well as Mott-Schottky analysis were employed to make a characterization over TiO₂ photoanodes before and after surface modification. A photocurrent density of 4.0 mA cm⁻² is achieved at 0.0 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) under an illumination of 100 mW/cm², which is ~2 times higher than that of pristine TiO₂ photoanode measured under the same conditions. The performance improvement was mainly attributed to the enhanced visible-light response of TiO₂.

Keywords: Ag₃PO₄; photoelectrochemical; TiO₂; Mott-Schottky; nanorod array.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2019.097248

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2019 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.158 - 169

Received: 26 Apr 2017
Accepted: 26 Oct 2017
Published online: 07 Jan 2019 *

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