Photoelectrochemical properties of Nb-doped titanium dioxide

Nb-doped TiO2 (0- 15 at% Nb) polycrystalline specimens were prepared by sol-gel method. The materials were used as photoanode in photoelectrochemical cell to water splitting. Based on the photocurrent experiments, the effects of Nb concentration on incident photonto-current efficiency (WE), flat band potential and overall efficiency of solar energy conversion were discussed. It was found that addition of Nb leads to an increase in solar-to-hydrogen energy efficiency. The maximum energy conversion efficiency has been observed for TiO2 doped with 1 at% Nb. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.