Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a sustainable route to hydrogen fuel production. Furthermore, titania nanotubular arrays (TNTAs) are promising photoanode materials due to their excellent stability, high surface area, and efficient charge transport; their wide band gap limits visible light absorption and practical efficiency. The study prepared crystalline TNTAs by anodizing titanium foil and annealing amorphous TiO2, then electrodeposited In2O3 nanoparticles onto the TNTA structure at varying times (5, 10, 15 minutes) to create heterojunction semiconductors. The electrodeposition bath consisted of In(NO₃)₃ and C6H8O7 at room temperature. The resulting materials were characterized using FESEM-EDX, XRD, and UV-VIS spectroscopy to assess structural, morphological, and optical properties. Photoelectrochemical activity was assessed by measuring photocurrent generation in a PEC cell using a 1M KOH electrolyte and a 450W xenon lamp. FESEM micrographs of In2O3/TNTA photoanodes showed good In2O3 distribution on nanotube arrays. A porous honeycomb structure with a large surface area was observed at 5 minutes, becoming denser with increased deposition time, enhancing electrical properties. At 15 minutes, larger clusters indicated stability. The maximum Indium elemental composition on TNTA was 0.31%. XRD verified the extent of TiO2 (rutile and anatase) and In2O3 in the TNTA photoanodes, while UV-VIS spectra indicated visible light absorption across all photoanodes. PEC results demonstrated that indium oxide decorated Short and Long TNTAs produced photocurrent densities of 0.32 and 0.69 mA/cm2, respectively, highlighting the potential of In2O3/TNTA heterostructures for enhanced visible light utilization and charge separation for efficient hydrogen production from water.
Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles
Asma Milad·Wan Ramli Wan Daud·Elham Daribi·Aisha Al-Abbasi·Mohammad B. Kassim·Aysha Ali Ahribesh·Asma Juma Albrbar·Amal Ahbesh·Raja Krifiet

