Photoelectrocatalytic activity of highly ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays electrode for azo dye degradation

A highly ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (HOTDNA) electrode was prepared in hydrofluoric acid solution by electrochemical anodization technique on a pure titanium sheet. The HOTDNA electrode was characterized by FE-SEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectra. The linear-sweep photovoltammetry response on the HOTDNA electrode is presented in this work. The photogenerated current of 0.3 mA/cm² was observed significantly upon illumination with applied potential of 0.5 V in the UV regions at the central wavelength of 253.7 nm. Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) and photocatalytic (PC) activities of the HOTDNA electrode were evaluated in the degradation of methyl orange (MeO) in aqueous solution. A set of optimized conditions such as anodic potential, calcinations temperature, and MeO concentration on the PEC activity was investigated. The PEC and PC activities of HOTDNA electrode were compared. We concluded that the HOTDNA electrode was an effective photoelectrode for achieving an enhanced MeO degradation.