Synthesis of visible-light absorbing CoFe2O4 sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance

TiO2 nanotube arrays sensitized with CoFe2O4 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared sample was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to characterize its phase structure, morphology and chemical composition. Enhanced absorption in both UV and visible-light regions was observed for the CoFe2O4 sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays. The photocurrent density of CoFe2O4 sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode was 30 times as great as that of bare TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode.