One-step construction of N/Ti3+ codoped TiO2 nanotubes photoelectrode with high photoelectrochemical and photoelectrocatalytic performance

In this study, we reported a facile strategy to fabricate N, Ti3+ codoped TiO2 nanotubes (N-Ti3+/TiO2 NTs) photoelectrode through one-step solution reduction process. The hydrazine hydrate treatment induced the simultaneous formation of Ti3+ species and N-doping in the lattice of TiO2 NTs. In addition, the N-Ti3+/TiO2 NTs photoelectrode exhibited intense visible light absorption ranging from 400 to 800 nm, high transient photoinduced current of 0.213 mA cm−2, charge carriers concentration of 0.92 × 1019 cm−3, generation of hydroxyl radicals and PEC efficiency of 100% for the degradation of diclofenac solution within 4 h visible light irradiation. The enhanced-visible-light PEC performance was mainly attributed to the enhancement of visible light absorbance, narrow band gap energy and high separation efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers. This study provides a facile strategy to construct intense visible light active catalyst, which could be applied in the fields of wastewater/air purification, solar energy conversion and water splitting.