Enhanced Visible Light Activity of Ag-Loaded TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays by AC Electrodeposition

Abstract:

In this work, highly-ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays were prepared by constant-voltage anodization, followed by electrodeposition of Ag to obtain Ag-loaded TiO₂ (Ag-TiO₂) nanotube arrays via alternating current (AC) process. The results of SEM and XRD show that the morphology and crystal structure of Ag-TiO₂ layer depend greatly on the electrodeposition parameters. Ag-TiO₂ nanotube arrays prepared in 2.5 mmol/L AgNO₃ solution by electrodeposition with applied voltage of 12 V for 1 minute performed the best photoelectrochemical current response and photocatalystic activity. The photocurrent density of Ag-TiO₂ is 43.32 μA/cm² under sunlight irradiation (70 mW/cm²), which is 4.2 times as that of unloaded TiO₂ nanotube arrays. Methyl orange (MO) degradation rate with the Ag-TiO₂ nanotube arrays achieves 52.13% after 90 min sunlight irradiation which is obvious higher than that of TiO₂ nanotube arrays. The mechanism of enhancing photoelectrochemical activity of decorating titania with Ag has also been discussed in the view of energy band theory.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 512-515)
• Pages: 1708-1712
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.512-515.1708
• Online since: June 2012
• Authors: Jing Zhao, Jian Ling Zhao, Xi Xin Wang, Yu Ying Jia, Cheng Chun Tang
• Keywords: Alternating Current, Photocatalystic, Photocurrent, TiO₂ Nanotube

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