Recent Advances in the Use of TiO2 Nanotube and Nanowire Arrays for Oxidative Photoelectrochemistry

TLDR: In this article, the properties of anodically formed semiconducting TiO2 nanotubes as well as nanowire arrays as electrodes for oxidative photoelectrochemistry were discussed.

Abstract: In this article, we present recent advances that we have achieved toward improving the properties of anodically formed semiconducting TiO2 nanotubes as well as nanowire arrays as electrodes for oxidative photoelectrochemistry. The morphology, crystallinity, composition, and illumination geometry of nanotube or nanowire arrays are critical factors in their performance as photoelectrodes. We discuss the key aspects relating to each factor and the advances achieved in improving each. With respect to the more fully investigated nanotube arrays, the ability to control the morphological parameters such as pore size, tube length, and wall thickness of the nanotube architecture has enabled high performance in applications such as water photoelectrolysis, photocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells, and heterojunction TiO2−polymer hybrid solar cells. We begin by reviewing the photoelectrochemical performance of state-of-the-art nanotube arrays fabricated on planar substrates. We then present more recent results rel...