Photoelectrochemical Activity of Sodium Titanate Nanobelts for Photoanode

We report photoelectrochemical characteristics of sodium titanate nanobelts as a photoanode. Sodium titanate nanobelts were synthesized by hydrothermal process using titanium(IV) tetrabutoxide in a concentrated aqueous NaOH solution. The formation mechanism of sodium titanate nanobelts in the synthetic process has been comparatively studied on the control of reaction time, pH and concentration of precursors, etc. The morphology and optical property have been investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. On the basis of their morphological and optical characteristics, sodium titanate nanobelts were applied for photoelectrochemical cell as working electrode. After transparent film of sodium titanate nanobelts is formed on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass by doctor blade technique, the photoelectrochemical results were discussed on the structure of photoanode of dye sensitized solar cells.