Preparation of B, N-codoped nanotube arrays and their enhanced visible light photoelectrochemical performances

B, N-codoped TiO2 nanotube arrays (BN-TNTs) were prepared in an electrolyte containing BF3 via an anodization process on a Ti sheet and subsequently annealed in ammonia ambient at 500 cu °C, and were characterized by the field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The highly-ordered vertically oriented nanotube arrays were obtained. The BN-TNTs exhibited more excellent photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic activities than those of TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTs), B-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (B-TNTs) and N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (N-TNTs) under UV-visible and visible light. The synergistic effects of B and N codoping were proven by photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performances.