In-situ fabrication of CNT/TiO2 interpenetrating network film on nickel substrate by chemical vapour deposition and application in photoassisted water electrolysis

CNTs/TiO2 interpenetrating network film was in-situ fabricated on nickel substrate by chemical vapour deposition method using TiO2 film doped with iron and nickel as catalyst. The modified Ni substrate was applied as anode in photoassisted water electrolysis. The hydrogen evolution rate of the CNTs/TiO2 film modified anode was ca.2.86 ml/h·cm2. It was about 2.86 times higher than unmodified Ni anode (ca.1.00 ml/h·cm2). The CNTs/TiO2 film was characterized by AFM, FESEM, XRD, Raman and UV–vis. The absorption of TiO2 film in UV region was obviously enhanced by growth of CNTs. The interpenetrating network film was very favorable for photoassisted water electrolysis.

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► In-situ growth of CNT/TiO2 interpenetrating network film on nickel substrate by CVD.
► Photoassisted electrolysis of water for hydrogen evolution is introduced to evaluate its property.
► The optimal hydrogen evolution rate of the film was about 2.86 ml/h·cm2 at 2.0 V external bias under UV irradiation.
► It was about 2.86 times higher compared with traditional pure Ni anode.