High performance hydrogenated TiO2 nanorod arrays as a photoelectrochemical sensor for organic compounds under visible light

•A novel hydrogenated TiO2 nanorod arrays (H-TNRs) are prepared.•The enhanced activity is attributed to the functionalized surface by hydroxyl groups.•The H-TNR electrode shows very sensitive and steady photocurrent under visible light.•H-TNRs can be a promising material for visible light photoelectrochemical sensor.

A photo-electrode of hydrogenated TiO2 nanorod arrays (H-TNRs) was prepared and used as a photoelectrochemical sensor for organic compound detections for the first time. Under visible light, the H-TNR electrode has shown a highly sensitive and steady photocurrent response due to introduction of oxygen vacancy and mid-gap energy levels. The H-TNRs are a promising material for photoelectrochemical detection of organic compounds under visible light.

Graphical abstractA novel photo-electrode of hydrogenated TiO2 nanorod arrays as a universal photoelectrochemical sensor exhibited high sensitivity and wide linear range for organic compound detections under visible light illumination.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide