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Frontiers in Energy

ISSN 2095-1701

ISSN 2095-1698(Online)

CN 11-6017/TK

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Front. Energy    2018, Vol. 12 Issue (2) : 249-258    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-018-0547-1
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Decoration of vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays with WO3 particles for hydrogen fuel production
Heba ALI1(), N. ISMAIL1, M. S. AMIN2, Mohamed MEKEWI3
1. Physical Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt
2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 12622, Egypt; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Madinah Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia;
3. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 12622, Egypt
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Abstract

WO3 decorated photoelectrodes of titanium nanotube arrays (W-oxide TNTAs) were synthesized via a two-step process, namely, electrochemical oxidation of titanium foil and electrodeposition of W-oxide for various interval times of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 20 min to improve the photoelectrochemical performance and the amount of hydrogen generated. The synthesized photoelectrodes were characterized by various characterization techniques. The presence of tungsten in the modified TNTAs was confirmed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) proved the deposition of W-oxide as small particles staked up on the surface of the tubes at lower deposition time whereas longer times produced large and aggregate particles to mostly cover the surface of TiO2 nanotubes. Additionally, the incorporation of WO3 resulted in a shift of the absorption edge toward visible light as confirmed by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and a decrease in the estimated band gap energy values hence, modified TNTAs facilitated a more efficient utilization of solar light for water splitting. From the photoelectrochemical measurement data, the optimal photoelectrode produced after 2 min of deposition time improved the photo conversion efficiency and the hydrogen generation by 30% compared to that of the pure TNTA.
Keywords titanium dioxide nanotube arrays      potentiostaticanodization      electrodeposition method      tungsten oxide      photoelectrochemical water splitting     
Corresponding Author(s): Heba ALI   
Just Accepted Date: 25 January 2018   Online First Date: 26 March 2018    Issue Date: 04 June 2018
 Cite this article:   
Heba ALI,N. ISMAIL,M. S. AMIN, et al. Decoration of vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays with WO3 particles for hydrogen fuel production[J]. Front. Energy, 2018, 12(2): 249-258.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-018-0547-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y2018/V12/I2/249
Fig.1  Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays modified with WO3
Fig.2  Schematic presentation of the experimental setup for the photoelectrochemical measurements. C, R and W are connected to Pt, Ag/AgCl and W-TNTAs, respectively
Fig.3  FESEM images
Sample Element Wt/% At/%
TNTA O 25.1 50.1
T 74.9 49.9
TW 2 min O 24.4 49.3
T 74.8 50.6
W 0.8 0.1
Tab.1  Elemental composition of pure TiO2 nanotube array (TNTA) and TiO2 array modified with W-oxide, prepared after 2 min of deposition time (TW 2 min)
Fig.4  HRTEM images
Fig.5  XRD patterns
Fig.6  UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra
Fig.7  Tauc plot for band gap evaluation
Fig.8  Photocurrent density-potential characteristics of (a) T, (b) TW 1 min, (c) TW 2 min, (d) TW 3 min, (e) TW 5 min, (f) TW 20 min and the inset figure represents their current density-voltage curves under dark conditions
Fig.9  The charge transfer mechanism in TiO2-WO3 mixed oxide nanotube arrays
Fig.10  Photoconversion efficiency of (a) T, (b) TW 1 min, (C) TW 2 min, (d) TW 3 min, (e) TW 5 min, and (f) TW 20 min
Fig.11  Hydrogen production rate of T, TW 1 min, TW 2 min, TW 3 min, TW 5 min, and TW 20 min under solar simulator illumination (110 mW cm-2) and 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 1 M KOH containing 10 wt.% of ethylene glycol
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