Directly grown TiO2 nanotubes on carbon nanofibers for photoelectrochemical water splitting

A variety of Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) phases and nanostructures have been explored for their applications in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) for solar-driven water splitting. In this case, anatase phase and TiO 2 nanotubes offer significant advantages especially for PEC-based applications. Though, significant efforts have already been engaged to combine the advantages from both the fields, poor activation and the high electron-hole pair recombination rate of TiO 2 electrodes, originating from intrinsic physicochemical properties, limits its practical use. As an alternative, we report directly grown TiO 2 nanotubes (synthesized on Fluorine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) via facile electrospinning technique) on carbon nanofibers, using hydrothermal method. The hierarchical branch type configuration has an intimate contact between the TiO 2 nanotube and carbon nanofiber backbone and offers higher photocatalytic activity than their respective individual components (namely TiO 2 nanotubes and carbon nanostructures).