Bridging the transport pathway of charge carriers in a Ta3N5 nanotube array photoanode for solar water splitting

Abstract

This paper describes an approach to synthesize a tightly adhered Ta₃N₅ nanotube array (NTA) photoanode with enhanced electron conductivity between the Ta₃N₅ layer and the substrate via a two-step anodization method. The obtained tightly adhered Ta₃N₅ NTA photoanode exhibits excellent photoelectrochemical properties with an optimal photocurrent up to 5.3 mA cm⁻² at 1.6 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. This approach provides an effective strategy to address the adhesion issue of one dimensional semiconductor photoanodes.