Facile synthesis and enhanced photo-electrocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanotube/g-C3N4 composite catalyst by a novel synthesis approach

TiO2 nanotube/graphene-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) composite structure was fabricated by a novel synthesis approach. Amorphous TiO2 nanotube arrays was synthesized by anodization. Afterward, g-C3N4 structures were decorated on the amorphous TiO2 nanotube arrays by using thermal polymerization process while anatase phase transformation of TiO2 in progress for the first time. The nanocomposite electrodes were further used for photo-electrochemical degradation of Rhodamine B dye. The homogenous surface morphology, higher crystallinity and more efficient photo-electrochemical performance were obtained by TiO2 nanotube/g-C3N4 composite structure due to better electrical contact and electron transportation by described synthesis approach. © 2020