WO₃ doping effects on the photoelectrocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanotube film prepared by an anodization process

WO₃ doped TiO₂ nanotube(WO₃-doped TNT) thin film was fabricated by anodizing the TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) film in an NH₄F electrolyte containing WO₄ ^- ions. The sample was characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results show that WO ₃ was successfully doped into TiO₂ nanotubes and the absorption edge of WO₃ doped TNT appeared to be red shifted. The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activity of WO₃ doped TNT electrode was evaluated through the PEC degradation of aqueous Acid Blue 80. The experimental results demonstrated that the PEC degradation rate of WO₃ doped TNT is increased by 48% and by 167% over that of non-doped TNT under UVA light irradiation and visible-light irradiation, respectively, at an applied potential of 1.54V. The degradation rates of WO₃ doped TNT under photocatalytic (PC), electrochemical (EC), and PEC processes were compared. The results reveal the synergetic effect of PC and EC processes. © 2010 Materials Research Society.