Influence of Bio-Based Surfactants on TiO2 Thin Films as Photoanodes for Electro-Photocatalysis

Photocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen is considered as one of the key solutions to current demand for eco-responsible energy. To improve efficiency and sustainability this process, development a TiO2-based photoanode by adding bio-sourced surfactants sol–gel preparation method has been considered. Three different polymeric biosurfactants (GB, GC, BIO) have tested, giving rise three materials being structurally morphologically characterized XRD, Rietveld refinement, BET, SEM, AFM, XPS, which was completed light absorption, photocatalytic (Pilkington test), electronic (EIS C-AFM), photoelectrochemical (cyclic voltammetry) measurements. Correlations between structure/morphology their functional properties established. One specific surfactant proven most suitable lead with optimized performance in direct relation essentially controlled surface area.