TiN Nanotube Arrays as Electrocatalytic Electrode for Solar Storable Rechargeable Battery

Abstract

TiN nanotube arrays on the metallic Ti mesh, prepared by a simple nitridation of TiO2 nanotube arrays on the metallic Ti mesh in ammonia atmosphere, are introduced for the first time as low-cost electrocatalytic electrode for solar storable rechargeable battery. The microstructure of the as-prepared TiN nanotube arrays/Ti mesh is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is shown that the obtained TiN retains its parent morphology of TiO2 nanotube arrays after the calcination in ammonia atmosphere. It is demonstrated from cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) that the highly ordered TiN nanotube arrays on the metallic Ti mesh substrate show an excellent electrocatalytic activity. Correspondingly, the rechargeable battery with WO3/carbon nanotubes as charge-storage electrode and TiN nanotube arrays/Ti mesh as electrocatalytic electrode presents reliable solar storable capability and reversible electrochemical conversion performance. Therefore, the TiN nanotube arrays/Ti mesh prepared in this work can be used as a potential low-cost alternative to the expensive noble metal Pt in future applications of the solar storable rechargeable battery.