A novel photoelectrochemical cell with self-organized TiO2 nanotubes as photoanodes for hydrogen generation

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell with an innovative design for hydrogen generation via photoelectrocatalytic water splitting is proposed and investigated. It consisted of a TiO2 nanotube photoanode, a Pt/C cathode and a commercial asbestos diaphragm. The PEC could generate hydrogen under ultraviolet (UV) light-excitation with applied bias in KOH solution. The Ti mesh was used as the substrate to synthesize the self-organized TiO2 nanotubular array layers. The effect of the morphology of the nanotubular array layers on the photovoltaic performances was investigated. When TiO2 photocatalyst was irradiated with UV-excitation, it prompted the water splitting under applied bias (0.6 V vs. Normal Hydrogen Electrode, NHE.). Photocurrent generation of 0.58 mA/cm2 under UV-light irradiation showed good performance on hydrogen production.

► A novel PEC cell with an innovative design is proposed and investigated.
► The designed PEC cell was effective for hydrogen production.
► Pt/C carbon paper as the cathode rather than Pt foil minimized the catalyst loading.
► The new PEC cell takes less space than a typical three-arm reactor.