boosted photocatalytic hydrogen production with 1d cu2tio2 nanotubes grown on a metastable ti-2wt.%cu alloy

We developed a thermo-electrochemical method to grow copper-decorated tio2 nanotubes (tints) on a ti-2wt.%cu metastable alloy, prepared via rapid cooling heat treatment. electrochemical anodization and uv illumination led to cu-nanoparticle adorned tints on the metastable alloy. compared to non-annealed and pure ti substrates, the metastable alloy exhibited superior tints density and cu-nanoparticle distribution. characterization via sem and xps confirmed the cu-decorated tints structure. notably, these cu-tints on the metastable alloy demonstrated a 7-fold and 4-fold increase in photocatalytic h2 generation compared to non-annealed and pure ti substrates, respectively.