Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Degradation of Dyes in Water Using Pulsed Electrodeposited CeO2-TiO2 Nanorod Photoanodes

This study investigates the enhancement of the photoelectrochemical degradation of dyes in aqueous solutions using TiO2 nanorod photoanodes modified with cerium oxide (CeO2) via electrodeposition techniques. Two different polymerization methods, constant potential and pulsed potential, were employed to deposit CeO2 on the TiO2 nanorods. The pulsed potential method was found to significantly outperform the constant potential method, demonstrating superior photocurrent generation. The modified photoanodes were tested for their ability to degrade methylene blue and methyl orange dyes under visible light irradiation. The TiO2 nanorod photoanodes with CeO2 deposited using the pulsed potential method exhibited the highest efficiency in dye degradation, which is attributed to the optimized cerium oxide deposition and enhanced charge transfer properties achieved through the pulsed electrodeposition technique. The improved performance of the pulsed-potential-modified photoanodes highlights their potential for application in environmental remediation, particularly for the treatment of dye-contaminated water. This study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of pulsed electrodeposition in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanorod photoanodes but also provides valuable insights into the development of advanced photocatalytic materials for water purification. The findings underscore the benefits of using pulsed deposition techniques to achieve high-performance photoanodes for the efficient photoelectrochemical degradation of organic pollutants, offering a promising approach to address environmental challenges associated with dye pollution in water.