Black TiO2 nanotube arrays for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical water-splitting

Abstract

Black titania nanotube arrays are prepared for the first time by the melted aluminium reduction of pristine anodized and air-annealed titania nanotube arrays. The black titania nanotubes with substantial Ti³⁺ and oxygen vacancies exhibit an excellent photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance due to the improved charge transport and separation and the extended visible light response. An impressive applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 1.20% is achieved.