Synthesis and electron irradiation modification of anatase TiO2 with different morphologies

Anatase TiO2 samples with three different morphologies were successfully prepared by the solvothermal method, and their photoelectric properties were tested. The mixed anatase TiO2 demonstrated the best photoelectrochemical water splitting performance with a photocurrent density of 0.84 mA/cm2 (1.23V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), carrier concentration of 1.29 × 1022 cm-3, and interface resistance of 29.20 Ω. Further, the anatase TiO2 samples with different morphologies were doped with nitrogen ions by electron beam irradiation in order to modify the defect concentration in these samples. Among them, the photocurrent density of mixed anatase TiO2 irradiated by 100 kGy obtained the highest current density at 0.99 mA/cm2 (1.23 V vs. RHE). Moreover, its carrier concentration reached 2.46 × 1022 cm-3 and interface resistance was reduced to 11.24 Ω. The photocatalytic properties of TiO2 with different morphologies and the effects of irradiation and nitrogen doping on the properties of the samples were investigated.