Boron-Doped TiO 2 from Anodization of TiB 2 for Efficient Photocatalysis

Abstract

Anodization of TiB 2 monolith rather than Ti 0 was employed to prepare boron-doped TiO 2 photoelectrochemical (PEC) anode and nanocrystals. The anodization behavior of TiB 2 was found to be dependent on the orientation of the crystals and F − ions in the electrolyte. TiB 2 orientating in [100] direction after anodization in the presence of F − formed a porous TiO 2 layer that can be used as a PEC anode, while TiB 2 with exposed (001) facets produced a gel containing Ti species in the electrolyte. The PEC anode or nanocrystals from the gel after hydrothermal treatment was boron-doped TiO 2 showing superior photocatalytic performance over the counterpart from Ti 0 foil for water splitting or Degussa P25 catalyst for dye degradation, respectively. The anodization of conductive ceramic monolith was demonstrated to be a way of preparing doped semiconductors for enhanced photocatalytic performance.