PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF TITANIUM-DIOXIDE FILMS PREPARED BY ANODIZATION OF TITANIUM METAL IN SULFURIC-ACID

A study is presented of the photoelectrocatalytic properties of films of titanium dioxide that have been prepared by anodisation of titanium metal in sulfuric acid. Films grown by galvanostatic control to a spe cified cell voltage, followed by 'ageing' of the films under potentios tatic control, have been used to oxidise water photoelectrocatalytical ly. The corresponding anodic photocurrents have then been correlated w ith the anatase crystallinity of the films, as determined by X-ray dif fraction. The effect of thermal annealing on crystallinity and photoel ectrocatalytic activity has also been examined.