Novel K-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with superhydrophilic surface and high photoelectrochemical cathodic protection

K-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with superhydrophilicity and high photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance were prepared via simple anodization and hydrothermal method. The high photoelectroactivity and high photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance were proven on the basis of photoinduced I-V curves, Mott-Schottky plots, and open circuit potential of coupling electrode. The mechanism of high photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance was verified on the basis of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy diffused reflectance spectra, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle.

Automated summary

K-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with superhydrophilicity and high photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance were prepared via simple methods. The high photoelectroactivity and cathodic protection performance have been proven through various experiments and the mechanism has been verified through spectral and contact angle analysis.