Light energy storage and photoelectrochemical behavior of the titanate nanotube array/Ni(OH)2 electrode

A new kind of TiO2 nanotube array/Ni(OH)2 (TiO2/Ni(OH)2) composite electrode with the storage ability of light energy was prepared by the deposition of Ni(OH)2 on the TiO2 nanotube array, which was synthesized by anodizing Ti foils in an HF aqueous solution. SEM and XRD results showed that Ni(OH)2 particles were well distributed on high density, well-ordered and uniform TiO2 nanotube arrays. The photoelectrochemical properties of the TiO2/Ni(OH)2 electrode were investigated in NaHCO3/NaOH buffer solution (pH 10) by means of UV–vis absorption spectra, cyclic voltammogram (CV) and photocurrent measurements. It was found that the TiO2/Ni(OH)2 electrode was highly sensitive to light and exhibited excellent photoelectrochromic properties. Upon UV irradiation, the photogenerated holes by TiO2 nanotube arrays can oxidize Ni(OH)2 to NiOOH, and thus the TiO2/Ni(OH)2 electrode can be photo-charged by light.