This invention discloses a method for preparing a TNTs / NiO@CoPi array
electrode (TNCP) for photoelectrocatalytic
water splitting, belonging to the field of photoelectrocatalytic
new energy materials technology. The invention first prepares a highly ordered
anatase TiO2
nanotube array (TNTs) using secondary
anodic oxidation, then loads Ni nanoparticles onto the surface and inside the nanotubes via
constant current electrodeposition, followed by high-temperature
calcination to generate p-type NiO, constructing a TNTs / NiO p-n
heterojunction (TN). Finally, it uses AM 1.5 simulated
sunlight to selectively deposit an amorphous CoPi cocatalyst, where the CoPi only coats the NiO nanospheres without blocking the TiO2
mass transfer channels. This invention utilizes the p-n
heterojunction to broaden the full-
spectrum light absorption from 250 to 800 nm, and CoPi acts as a hole-
trapping layer to suppress
electron-hole recombination, significantly reducing interfacial charge transport impedance; the steady-state
photocurrent of the TNCP deposition sample reaches 0.06 mA·cm⁻. 2 It is three times that of pure TNTs. This process involves no precious metals or highly toxic corrosive solvents, and the
reaction conditions are mild. The electrodes produced can be used for photoelectric
water splitting to produce
hydrogen, photoelectric oxidation of organic pollutants, and
ethylene glycol photoelectric
fuel cells. They exhibit excellent cycle stability and have promising prospects for large-scale industrial applications.