Inverse effect of Nickel modification on photoelectrochemical performance of TiNT/Ti photoanode

TiNT/Ti 광아노드의 광전기화학 특성에 미치는 Ni 금속의 영향

Nanomaterial architecture with highly ordered, vertically oriented $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays shows a good promise for diverse technological applications. As inspired from the literature reports that Nickel modification can improve the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$, it was planned to coat Ni into the $TiO_2$ matrix. In this study, first $TiO_2$ nanotubes(TiNTs) were prepared by anodization (60V,3min) in HF-free aqueous electrolyte on ultrasonically cleaned polished titanium sheet substrates ($1{\times}7cm^2$). The typical thickness of the sintered TiNT ($500^{\circ}C$for10min) was ~1 micronas confirmed from the FESEM study. In the next part, as-anodized and sintered TiNT/Ti photoanodes were used to coat Ni by AC electrodeposition from aqueous 0.1M nickel sulphate solution. During AC electrodeposition, conditions such as 1V DC offset voltage, 9V amplitude (peak-to-peak) and 750 Hz frequency were fixed constant and the deposition time was varied as 0.5 min, 1 min, 2 min and 10 min. The photoelectrochemical performance of pristine and Ni modified TiNT/Ti photoanodes was measured in 1N NaOH electrolyte under 1 SUN illumination in the potential range of -1V and 1.2V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The photocurrent performance of TiNT/Ti photoanode decreased upon Ni modification and the results were confirmed after repeated experiments. This suggests us that Ni modification inhibits the photoelectrochemical performance of $TiO_2$ nanotubes.