Novel one-step preparation of tungsten loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation and hydrogen production

•W-TiO2NTs were prepared via an electrochemical oxidation method.•Tungsten was successfully incorporated into TiO2 lattice in a form of W6 + ion.•W-TiO2NTs showed high PEC activity to remove RhB and production of hydrogen.•Optimum W content acts as an electron acceptor.

Highly ordered tungsten doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (W-TiO2NTs) were prepared in glycerol/fluoride electrolyte solution containing sodium tungstate via the electrochemical oxidation of a Ti substrate. The resulting arrays were characterized by XRD, SEM, and XPS. The 15 mM W-TiO2NTs exhibited better photoelectrochemical activity than the TiO2NTs and W-TiO2NTs fabricated using other W concentrations under Xe illumination. The W ion was successfully introduced into the TiO2 crystal lattice in the W6 + form according to the XPS analysis, which enhanced the photoelectrocatalytic activity of the W-TiO2NTs, as indicated by the efficient removal of Rhodamine B and the production of hydrogen.

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