Growth of branched rutile TiO2 nanorod arrays on F-doped tin oxide substrate

► Branched TiO2 nanorod(TiO2-NB) arrays were hydrothermally grown on FTO substrate. ► The TiO2-NB film presented superior photocatalytic activity than P25 particulate film. ► Direct electrical pathway and enhanced light-harvesting efficiency were key factors for the superior photocatalytic activity of the TiO2-NB film.