Study of the Photocatalytic Properties of Ni-Doped Nanotubular Titanium Oxide

Nanotubular titanium oxide is widely known as a prospective semiconductor photocatalyst for the process of water splitting. Its photoelectrochemical (PEC) efficiency can be improved by doping with 3d metal. In this work, the synthesis of nanotubular titanium oxide (NTO) was carried out by anodizing titanium substrates using two doping techniques. First, Ni-doped TiO2 was obtained by immersion in Ni salt solution; second, an ethylene glycol-based fluoride electrolyte containing Ni2+ ions solution was used. The obtained samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD, and photoelectrochemical methods. The produced Ni-doped NTO exhibited photocatalytic activity twice as high as that of nondoped NTO. Additionally, it was found that the immersion technique initiated a shift of the incident photon to converted electron (IPCE) spectra to the visible part of the spectrum.

Automated summary

Nanotubular titanium oxide (NTO) doped with Ni was synthesized using two doping techniques, immersion in Ni salt solution and using an ethylene glycol-based fluoride electrolyte containing Ni2+ ions solution. The samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD, and photoelectrochemical methods. The Ni-doped NTO showed twice the photocatalytic activity compared to the undoped NTO, and the immersion technique led to a shift of the incident photon to converted electron spectra to the visible part of the spectrum.