J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2018, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 955-960.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2017.07.010

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Facile fabrication of three-dimensional interconnected nanoporous N-TiO2 for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Yingzhi Chena,1, Aoxiang Lia,1, Qun Lib, Xinmei Houb, Lu-Ning Wangac*(), Zheng-Hong Huangd   

  1. aSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
    bSchool of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
    cState Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
    dKey Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Received:2017-03-12 Revised:2017-04-29 Accepted:2017-07-04 Online:2018-06-10 Published:2018-06-05
  • Contact: Wang Lu-Ning

Abstract:

Three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous architectures are expected to perform well in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting due to their high specific surface area as well as favourable porous properties and interconnections. In this work, we demonstrated the facile fabrication of 3D interconnected nanoporous N-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2 network) by annealing the anodized 3D interconnected nanoporous TiO2 (TiO2 network) in ammonia atmosphere. The obtained N-TiO2 network exhibited broadened light absorption, and abundant, interconnected pores for improving charge separation, which was supported by the reduced charge transfer resistance. With these merits, a remarkably high photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was realized for the N-TiO2 network without any co-catalysts or sacrificial reagents, and the photostability can be assured after long term illumination. In view of its simplicity and efficiency, this structure promises for perspective PEC applications.

Key words: 3D interconnected nanoporous N-TiO2, N-TiO2 nanotube arrays, Anodization, Photoelectrochemical water splitting