1. Open top anodic Ta3N5 nanotubes for higher solar water splitting efficiency
- Author
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JeongEun Yoo, Patrik Schmuki, Seulgi So, Robert Hahn, Anca Mazare, and Sabina Grigorescu
- Subjects
Condensed Matter - Materials Science ,Nanotube ,Materials science ,Morphology (linguistics) ,Anodizing ,General Chemical Engineering ,Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) ,FOS: Physical sciences ,Nanotechnology ,Electrolyte ,Substrate (electronics) ,Anode ,Atmosphere ,Chemical engineering ,Electrochemistry ,Layer (electronics) - Abstract
In the present work we grow self-organized Ta 2 O 5 nanotube layers in a H 2 SO 4 /NH 4 F electrolyte at various elevated temperatures. Under optimized conditions we obtain 4 μm long nanotubes that are well adherent to the substrate and can be grown very homogenous over large surface areas. Moreover, the key advantage of this approach is that an open top morphology (initiation layer free) is obtained. After a suitable conversion treatment in NH 3 atmosphere Ta 3 N 5 nanotubes are obtained, that after (Co-Pi+Co(OH) x ) modification provide, under AM 1.5G illumination conditions, a photoelectrochemical current response of 4.7 mA cm −2 at +1.23 V vs RHE.
- Published
- 2015