Blue TiO2 Nanotube (b-TiO2) as a Support Material Electrode in a Photoelectrochemical Cell for Nitrogen Fixation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22452/mjs.vol44no3.6Keywords:
Keywords: Blue TiO2 Nanotube Arrays; Photo Electro Chemical (PEC) Cell; N2 Fixation; Artificial Photosynthesis.Abstract
We have been developing an artificial photosynthesis device based on a photoelectrochemical cell to convert N2 to NH3 in a greener way as an alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, which requires high energy and releases a huge amount of CO2; this device consists of a dark cathode and photoanode. An electrode material that can absorb nitrogen and weaken its chemical bond is necessary for the dark cathode, while a photoanode material that can absorb visible light and have an intrinsic oxidation potential to split water is necessary. Currently, we are developing blue TiO2 (b-TiO2) and CoOx modified b-TiO2 for both electrode materials. b-TiO2 was synthesized by the electrochemical reduction of TiO2 nanotubes in aqueous solution, whereas TiO2 nanotubes were prepared using the electro-oxidation technique. The synthesized b-TiO2 exhibited a bandgap shift to 2.96 eV and an increase in conductivity owing to the presence of Ti3+ species. The addition of CoOx to b-TiO2 shifted the bandgap to 2.70 eV and increased its oxidative performance, as shown by the negative shift of the water oxidation onset potential and the 13.55% increase in RhB degradation under visible light and 500 mV external bias. Furthermore, when used in tandem as a dark cathode and photoanode, the device can convert N2 to NH3 up to 0.0063 µmol h−1 cm−1 without external bias and 0.0128 µmol h−1 cm−1 with 500 mV external bias.
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