Effects of various hydrogenated treatments on formation and photocatalytic activity of black TiO₂ nanowire arrays

The effects of hydrogen thermal and plasma treatment on the formation and photocatalytic activities of black TiO₂ nanowire arrays were investigated and discussed. After either the hydrogen thermal or plasma treatment, the TiO₂ nanowires remained. However, in contrast to the plasma treated nanowires, the diameter of the thermal treated TiO₂ nanowires reduced more significantly, which was attributed to a thicker surface amorphous layer and more oxygen vacancies. A higher photoresponse in both UV and visible light regions and more hydroxide groups were also observed for the thermal treated nanowires. In addition, the black nanowires possessed greater carrier concentration, leading to a more efficient separation of electron–hole pairs. As a consequence, much enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue were obtained. (paper)