Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performance of polyoxometalate-titania nanocomposite photoanode

Abstract

Polyoxophosphotungstate-incorporated titania/titanium nanocomposite (POPTA-TiO2/Ti) has been developed as a photo-anode for photo-electro-catalytic application. Highly-ordered anatase TiO2 nanotube array with a vertical orientation is synthesized by a controlled anodization plus a post-calcination. Hybrid incorporation is followed by embedding POPTA into TiO2 tubule channels. The morphological characteristics, crystal behavior and chemical structure of POPTA-TiO2 are examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis and Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties and photocurrent responses have been investigated by linear sweep voltammetry. Photo-catalytic and photo-electro-catalytic applications for recalcitrant organic pollutant degradation have been investigated to examine photo-electrochemical efficiency and effectiveness of POPTA-TiO2/Ti nanocomposite photo-anode. Electro-generation hydrogen pyroxide (H2O2)-assisted TiO2 photo-electro-catalysis has been also conducted by using dual functional electrodes of a nanotubular POPTA-TiO2/Ti photo-anode and a vitreous carbon cathode for enhanced photo-electrochemical performance.