Effect of potassium adsorption on the photochemical properties of titania nanotube arrays

摘要: It is demonstrated that vertically-aligned titania nanotube planar arrays fabricated by electrochemical anodization using standard potassium-containing electrolytes invariably contain a significant amount of surface-adsorbed potassium ions, hitherto undetected, affect the photoelectrochemical or PEC performance. Synchrotron-based near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy reveals strong ionic nature surface potassium-titania bonds alters performance over pure nanotubes through reduction external electrical bias needed to produce hydrogen at maximum efficiency. This result implies energy input required per liter solar produced with potassium-adsorbed may be reduced. Tailoring content thus an alternative means fine-tune response TiO2nanotube-based electrodes.