Novel vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes embedded with Sb-doped SnO2 electrode with high oxygen evolution potential and long service time

A vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes growing on Ti substrate embedded with Sb-doped SnO2 (TiO2-NTs/SnO2–Sb2O5) electrode has been successfully fabricated and its electrochemical properties are investigated. By sol–gel and thermal deposition methods, SnO2–Sb2O5 are embedded into TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs). Through EFSEM and XRD analysis, it is known that SnO2–Sb2O5 and Ti substrate consist of an integrative electrode by the formation of TiO2-NTs. Meanwhile, in contrast with the typical SnO2-based (Ti/SnO2–Sb2O5) electrode, TiO2-NTs/SnO2–Sb2O5 electrode can increase the load capacity of Sb-doped SnO2 and electrode's surface wettability. Compared with the poor service life of Ti/SnO2–Sb2O5 electrode, this novel embedded electrode enhances the service life sharply. Besides, according to the electrochemical experiments, TiO2-NTs/SnO2–Sb2O5 electrode is superior to Ti/SnO2–Sb2O5 electrode for electrochemical performance.