Photoelectrochemical performance of TiO_(2) nanotube arrays by in situ decoration with different initial states

Here,carbon dots(CDs) only or nanocomposites of CDs and TiO_(2)(CDs-TiO_(2)) were used to decorate titanium dioxide nanotube arrays(TiO_(2)NTs) in situ by solvothermal method.Two initial states of TiO_(2)NTs were prepared for contrast,including the amorphous TiO_(2)NTs(TiO_(2)NTs-0) just experienced anodic oxidation process and that further calcined TiO_(2)NTs(TiO_(2)NTs-450).It was found that the newborn CDs or CDs-TiO_(2)were more likely to anchor on TiO_(2)NTs-0 than the calcined TiO_(2)NTs-450,and more Ti-C bonds were found in the composites which were derived from TiO_(2)NTs-0 after the solvothermal treatment.An evident photocurrent could be demonstrated for either CDs or CDs-TiO_(2)decorated TiO_(2)NTs once exposed to visible light.And CDs-TiO_(2)NTs-0 showed the highest photocurrent density(4.51 μA·cm^(-2)).However,the results of photodegradation measurements revealed that CDs-TiO_(2)decorated TiO_(2)NTs with different initial states(especially CDs-TiO_(2)-TiO_(2)NTs-0) showed more excellent photocatalytic activity under both ultraviolet(UV) and visible light illumination.