Water splitting using a three-dimensional plasmonic photoanode with titanium dioxide nano-tunnels

In this study, we developed a three-dimensional plasmonic photoanode using titanium dioxide nanotunnels (TNTs) loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) for water splitting, to enhance the reaction efficiency. We also optimized the procedure of loading Au-NPs on complex three-dimensional structures. We discuss the correlation between the plasmon-induced charge separation obtained from photoelectrochemical measurement and the morphology of Au-NPs observed by transmission electron microscopy. We have successfully deposited well-dispersed Au-NPs on the walls of TNTs using HAu(OH)(4) as a precursor. The amount of Au-NPs on the TNTs was estimated to be approximately 15-fold larger than that on the thin film titanium dioxide substrate, and the particle size remained small. Photoelectrochemical water splitting was achieved by using a two-electrode system rather than a three-electrode system. Furthermore, stoichiometric water splitting was confirmed by estimating the amounts of the evolved H-2 and O-2 gases under visible light irradiation.