Photoelectrochemical Activity of Sodium Titanate Nanobelts for Photoanode

Abstract

We report photoelectrochemical characteristics of sodium titanate nanobelts as a photoanode. Sodium titanate nanobelts were synthesized by hydrothermal process using titanium(IV) tetrabutoxide in a concentrated aqueous NaOH solution. The formation mechanism of sodium titanate nanobelts in the synthetic process has been comparatively studied on the control of reaction time, pH and concentration of precursors, etc. The morphology and optical property have been investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. On the basis of their morphological and optical characteristics, sodium titanate nanobelts were applied for photoelectrochemical cell as working electrode. After transparent film of sodium titanate nanobelts is formed on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass by doctor blade technique, the photoelectrochemical results were discussed on the structure of photoanode of dye sensitized solar cells.

The study on preparation and photocatalytic activities of Cu 2 O/TiO 2 nanoparticles

“…More recently, we have prepared porphyrin and Cu(II) porphyrin sensitized TiO 2 photocatalysts, and their enhancing photocatalytic performances and mechanism were carefully studied [27]. However, the TiO 2 nanotube is composed of titanate instead of anatase phase [28,29]. The most photo active phase of anatase TiO 2 loaded p-n heterojunction Cu 2 O/TiO 2 have not been tried and the size effect of the TiO 2 particles and Cu 2 O particles also have not been systematically investigated, Quantum confinement of carriers and enhanced surface effects at nanodimensions are well known to result in large modifications in the structural, optical, and electronic properties of nanoparticles [30].…”

“…This dye is nonbiodegradable and commonly used in the textile industry. As a result, this molecule is widely used for testing photocatalytic activity [26][27][28][29].…”