PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL RESPONSE AND SURFACE VARIATION OF TIO2 ELECTRODES IRRADIATED WITH LASER-LIGHT

Three Nb-doped TiO2 (0.05, 0.3, and 0.9 mol% Nb2O5) pellet electrodes were used for the photoelectrochemical (PEG) study. A laser was used a s the light source. Various reprates and energy intensities were teste d to evaluate the PEC response. Increasing the reprate or energy inten sity increased PEC current. The PEC currents were significantly greate r than those obtained from a Xe lamp. Scanning electron microscopic ex amination of the electrode surface showed that localized melting took place, which caused redistribution and more dissolution of the dopant, thereby changing the characterisitcs of the electrodes.