Reduced TiO2 nanotube array as an excellent cathode for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution

Anodic TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays have been intensively investigated as anodes in water splitting (WS) cells because of their excellent chemical stability. However, anodic TNT is seldom considered a cathode for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) an electrochemical WS cell. This study shows that reduced (R-TNT) sample prepared with cathodic reduction technique without loading any co-catalyst can achieve remarkable HER performance. At ? 1.0 V vs reversible electrode 1 M NaOH dark, R-TNT achieved current 221 mA, which 17000-times when using and 5-times Ti-foil cathode. Chronopotentiometry tests were carried out sequentially at @ ?100, 50 10 mA 24 h decay rates 1.3%, 5.2% 18.4% measured, indicate good stability sample.