Titanium-Supported Titania Photoelectrodes Made by Sol-Gel Processes

Abstract

Titanium-supported titania-based photoelectrodes were prepared either by sol-gel processes or by thermal oxidation. Catalytic activities and stabilities of these photoelectrodes were monitored by photooxidizing formic acid in aqueous NaCl during three successive experiments under identical conditions. Although electrodes coated with either titania (higher activity) or zirconia-titania (lower activity) and heated at 300°C were less active initially than similar electrodes heated to higher temperatures, electrodes heated at 300°C were more stable. Activities of titania electrodes were increased by depositing the titania at a higher withdrawal speed (21.5 versus 1.5 cm min