Cr2O3 nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotubes for enhancing visible photoelectrochemical performance

TiO2 nanotube arrays modified by nanoparticles Cr2O3 with high sensibility in the visible spectrum were prepared by annealing the anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays pre-loaded with Cr(NO3)3 solution which was uniformly clung to the TiO2 nanotube arrays. The influence of the dipping time on the microstructure of the Cr2O3/TiO2-nanotubes was investigated. The microstructure and the elemental analysis were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The photoelectrochemical performances of the as-prepared composite nanotubes were determined by measuring the photogenerated current and voltage under illumination of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis)/visible light. The TiO2 nanotube arrays modified by Cr2O3 showed higher photocurrent values than those of unmodified TiO2 nanotube arrays. The enhanced photoelectrochemical behaviors can be attributed to the modified Cr2O3 which increases the probability of charge-carrier separation and extends the range of the TiO2 photoresponse from UV to visible region due to the low band gap of 2.3 eV of Cr2O3.