Abstract—We report the photo-electro-chemical properties of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQD) functionalised TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNA). The TNA formed by electrochemical anodization of a Ti foil offer highly aligned, vertically oriented nanostructures suitable for photo-catalytic application. These nanostructures are functionalised with CQDs synthesized by the electrochemical etching of graphite and the resultant samples are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, photo-current and photon-charge conversion efficiency measurements, Mott-Schottky and impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the nanotubes with larger diameter can support a higher density of CQDs and hence shows better values for photo-current and light conversion efficiency. Furthermore, these samples offer a lower charge transfer resistance across the semiconductor-electrolyte interface. The CQD functionalised TiO2 nanotubesarrays with suitable diameter can therefore be used for efficient hydrogen generation by water splitting under the illumination of solar radiation.
Index Terms—TiO2, carbon quantum dot (CQD), photo-electro-chemical, clean energy.
Sanju Rani and N. Rajalakshmi are with Centre for Fuel Cell Technology, ARCI, IIT Madras Research Park, Phase 1, II floor, 6 Kanagam Road, Taramani, Chennai 600113, India (e-mail: sanjuiitd@gmail.com).
[PDF]
Cite:Sanju Rani and N. Rajalakshmi, "Effect of Nanotube Diameter on Photo-Electro-Chemical Properties of Carbon Quantum Dot Functionalized TiO2 Nanotubes," Journal of Clean Energy Technologies vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 367-371, 2015.
