Modification of Zr-doped titania nanotube arrays by urea pyrolysis for enhanced visible-light photoelectrochemical H2 generation

Abstract: Zr-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (Zr-TiO2-NT) and TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2-NT) were prepared via anodic oxidation of titanium foils in ethylene glycol solution and modified by heat treatment in the presence of urea pyrolysis products at 400°C. Zr doping changes the morphology of Zr-TiO2-NT and its conduction band edge shifts negatively compared with that of TiO2-NT. For the modification of Zr-TiO2-NT in the presence of urea pyrolysis products, Zr doping can not only enhance the polymerization degree of the surface-modified carbon nitride polymers but also promote the N doping. The modified TiO2-NT and Zr-TiO2-NT films exhibit significant photocurrent responses upon visible light irradiation. Zr doping improves markedly the visible-light photoelectrochemical H2 production of the modified Zr-TiO2-NT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]