Polymer-Templated Nanospider TiO2 Thin Films for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

We have discovered a facile and inexpensive approach to fabricate nanospider TiO2 thin films with not only an amazing morphology but highly efficient water splitting to produce hydrogen. Our method employs benzene-swollen poly(ethylene glycol) as a sacrificial organic polymer to template the semiconductor thin film. The synthesized TiO2 thin films are highly crystalline with optimized particle and channel size to enhance the liquid-semiconductor junction interaction. This enhanced contact area leads to more than twice the water splitting performance than conventional P25 thin films. In addition, the nanospider thin films also outperform P25 films in the photodegradation of toxic organics.