An aluminum oxide, Al2O3, template is prepared using a novel Ni imprinting method with high hexagonal pore accuracy and order. The pore diameter after the widening process is about 320 nm. TiO2 layer is deposited inside the template using atomic layer deposition (ALD) followed by the deposition of 6 nm TiN thin film over the TiO2 using a direct current (DC) sputtering unit. The prepared nanotubular TiN/TiO2/Al2O3 was fully characterized using different analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical UV-Vis spectroscopy. Exploring the current-voltage relationships under different light intensities, wavelengths, and temperatures was used to investigate the electrode's application before and after Au coating for H2 production from sewage water splitting without the use of any sacrificing agents. All thermodynamic parameters were determined, as well as quantum efficiency (QE) and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE). The QE was 0.25% and 0.34% at 400 mW·cm-2 for the photoelectrode before and after Au coating, respectively. Also, the activation energy was 27.22 and 18.84 kJ·mol-1, the enthalpy was 24.26 and 15.77 J·mol-1, and the entropy was 238.1 and 211.5 kJ-1·mol-1 before and after Au coating, respectively. Because of its high stability and low cost, the prepared photoelectrode may be suitable for industrial applications.
Keywords: Al2O3 template; nanomaterials; photoelectrochemical hydrogen production; sewage water; solar energy conversion; surface plasmon resonance.