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Photo-electrochemical properties of graphene wrapped hierarchically branched nanostructures obtained through hydrothermally transformed TiO2 nanotubes
Yalavarthi Rambabu, ,
Published in Institute of Physics Publishing
2017
PMID: 28762958
Volume: 28
   
Issue: 40
Abstract
Hierarchically structured nanomaterials play an important role in both light absorption and separation of photo-generated charges. In the present study, hierarchically branched TiO2 nanostructures (HB-MLNTs) are obtained through hydrothermal transformation of electrochemically anodized TiO2 multi-leg nanotubes (MLNT) arrays. Photo-anodes based on HB-MLNTs demonstrated 5 fold increase in applied bias to photo-conversion efficiency (%ABPE) over that of TiO2 MLNTs without branches. Further, such nanostructures are wrapped with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films to enhance the charge separation, which resulted in ∼6.5 times enhancement in %ABPE over that of bare MLNTs. We estimated charge transport (η tr) and charge transfer (η ct) efficiencies by analyzing the photo-current data. The ultra-fine nano branches grown on the MLNTs are effective in increasing light absorption through multiple scattering and improving charge transport/transfer efficiencies by enlarging semiconductor/electrolyte interface area. The charge transfer resistance, interfacial capacitance and electron decay time have been estimated through electrochemical impedance measurements which correlate with the results obtained from photocurrent measurements. © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd.
About the journal
JournalNanotechnology
PublisherInstitute of Physics Publishing
ISSN09574484
Open AccessNo
Concepts (17)
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    Charge transfer
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    Efficiency
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    Electromagnetic wave absorption
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    Light absorption
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    Nanostructures
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    Nanotubes
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    Oxide films
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    Yarn
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    ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENTS
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    Photoelectrochemical properties
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    PHOTOELECTROCHEMICALS
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    Reduced graphene oxides
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    Reduced graphene oxides (rgo)
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    SEMICONDUCTOR/ELECTROLYTE INTERFACES
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    TIO2 NANOTUBES
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    Water splitting
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    Graphene