Photoelectrochemical study of titanium dioxide films prepared by anodisation of titanium metal in sulfuric acid

Abstract

A study is presented of the photoelectrocatalytic properties of films of titanium dioxide that have been prepared by anodisation of titanium metal in sulfuric acid. Films grown by galvanostatic control to a specified cell voltage, followed by ‘ageing’ of the films under potentiostatic control, have been used to oxidise water photoelectrocatalytically. The corresponding anodic photocurrents have then been correlated with the anatase crystallinity of the films, as determined by X-ray diffraction. The effect of thermal annealing on crystallinity and photoelectrocatalytic activity has also been examined.