Hybrid Nanotubular Structures for Photoelectrocatalysis or Energy Storage Devices

Abstract

The results of an experimental study devoted to the synthesis and characterisation of hybrid materials based on nanotubes (NT) of TiO2 modified by polyaniline (PANI) are presented in this work. The results demonstrated the final material performs well when applied as photoanode for water-splitting or for energy storage devices. TiO2 NTs have been synthesized by anodization of Ti foils from organic solution containing fluorides. The process of electro-polymerization of aniline has been carried out by cyclic voltammetry, starting from acid aqueous solution of the monomer. The performance of the polymeric structure has been investigated under the different conditions of electropolymerisation. The electrochemical capacitance of the samples has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests (CDT). Moreover, photocurrent tests were performed in order to evaluate their ability in exploit the light irradiation.