Preparation and Characterization of Anodized Pt-TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for Water Splitting

Self-organized TiO2 nanotube-layers were formed by the electrochemical anodization of Ti in an HF electrolyte. The nanotube layers were then treated at different temperatures (300–600°C) in the air. Platinum was doped on the TiO2 nanotube layer by e-beam sputtering. The samples were characterized by EDX, BET, XPS, SEM, XRD and photoelectrochemistry. The results clearly showed the successful Pt-doping of the TiO2 nanotubes. The photocatalytic evolution of H2 due to the decomposition of water in the alkaline solution was investigated using the Pt–TiO2 nanotubes as a photocatalyst and iodide ions in the form of KI as a redox mediator. The results showed that the Pt–TiO2 nanotube photocatalyst generated H2 successfully.