Influence of Photo-Deposited Pt and Pd onto Chromium Doped TiO2 Nanotubes in Photo-Electrochemical Water Splitting for Hydrogen Generation

Hydrogen (H2) is considered as an ideal fuel for the future. The photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting employing semiconducting materials and induced irradiation, preferably of solar spectrum, presents a viable route H2 production. In this work, self-ordered chromium-doped TiO2 nanotube (CT) was fabricated using in-situ electro-anodization. CT surface modification then performed by photo-deposition Pt Pd particles, producing Pt-CT Pd-CT catalysts, respectively. Their morphological features, crystallinity, composition, optical absorption have been inspected scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), Raman, UV–vis spectroscopy. Linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, open circuit potential methods applied to study PEC activities catalysts in form electrodes. It found that electrodes possess excellent photo-generated electron/hole (e−/h+) separation transport properties. enhanced photocurrent responses 4 3 times more than are revealed Pd-CT, activity as-prepared tested generation. maximum amount evolved followed decreasing order: 1.08 > 0.65 0.26 mL cm−2 h−1 Pt-CT, electrodes, respectively, clearly showing positive contribution photo-deposited (nano)particles onto surface.