Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting on Pt-loaded TiO2 nanorods array thin film

We demonstrate that appropriate Pt loading could significantly enhance the ability of TiO2 nanorods array thin film (TNTF) electrode to photoelectrochemically split water under solar light. The TiO2 nanorods array thin film was directly grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass through hydrothermal reaction. And platinum (Pt) nanoparticles were deposited uniformly on the surface of TiO2 nanorods by a convenient sputtering method. The Pt-loaded TNTF sample was highly stable during the photoelectrochemical water splitting process. Its activity did not decrease after 50 continuous potential scans. This study reveals that the Pt loaded TiO2 nanorods array thin film electrode is promising for the photoelectrochemical water splitting to generate hydrogen.

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► Pt nanoparticles are deposited uniformly by convenient sputtering method.
► Amount of Pt loading affects greatly the photoelectrochemical water splitting.
► 20 seconds’ Pt sputtering gives the best results.
► The activity of Pt-loaded TNTF electrode is highly stable.