Fabrication of tungsten trioxide-loaded titania nanotubes as a potential photoanode for photoelectrochemical cell

• Published in: International Journal of Electrochemical Science
• Main Author: Harun N.F.A.B.; bin Mohd Y.; Pei L.Y.; Chin L.Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Electrochemical Science Group 2018
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85046775339&doi=10.20964%2f2018.05.19&partnerID=40&md5=e13c1448de8a6081df806e2e9a47f5da

This study aimed to investigate the effect of deposition potential on the growth of tungsten trioxide electrodeposited onto titania nanotubes (WTNT) in a fixed solution pH of 1.5 as well as its effect on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of titania nanotubes (TNT). Well-ordered crystalline TNT and WTNT were obtained via anodization of titanium foil and electrodeposition of WO3 species respectively as proven via FESEM, EDX, and XRD analyses. All WTNTs showed enhanced PEC performance compared to the blank TNT. WTNT/-0.65 V prepared under deposition potential at -0.65 V exhibited the highest PEC performance (η = 9.63 %) compared to other WTNTs and almost 6 times higher compared to blank TNT (η = 1.65 %). Such enhancement was due to optimal amount and morphology of tungsten trioxide deposited which enabled efficient synergetic effect between tungsten trioxide and TNT. © 2018 The Authors.