Wtulich M, Szkoda M, Gajowiec G, Gazda M, Jurak K, Sawczak M, Lisowska-Oleksiak A. Hydrothermal Cobalt Doping of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes towards Photoanode Activity Enhancement.
MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021;
14:1507. [PMID:
33808648 PMCID:
PMC8003354 DOI:
10.3390/ma14061507]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Doping and modification of TiO2 nanotubes were carried out using the hydrothermal method. The introduction of small amounts of cobalt (0.1 at %) into the structure of anatase caused an increase in the absorption of light in the visible spectrum, changes in the position of the flat band potential, a decrease in the threshold potential of water oxidation in the dark, and a significant increase in the anode photocurrent. The material was characterized by the SEM, EDX, and XRD methods, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and UV-Vis reflectance measurements. Electrochemical measurement was used along with a number of electrochemical methods: chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and linear sweep voltammetry in dark conditions and under solar light illumination. Improved photoelectrocatalytic activity of cobalt-doped TiO2 nanotubes is achieved mainly due to its regular nanostructure and real surface area increase, as well as improved visible light absorption for an appropriate dopant concentration.
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