Hierarchical Top-Porous/Bottom-Tubular TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanostructures Decorated with Pd Nanoparticles for Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Decomposition of Synergistic Pollutants Zhonghai Zhang Yanjie Yu Peng Wang 10.1021/am201630s.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Hierarchical_Top_Porous_Bottom_Tubular_TiO_sub_2_sub_Nanostructures_Decorated_with_Pd_Nanoparticles_for_Efficient_Photoelectrocatalytic_Decomposition_of_Synergistic_Pollutants/2547526 In this paper, top-porous and bottom-tubular TiO<sub>2</sub> nanotubes (TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs) loaded with palladium nanoparticles (Pd/TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs) were fabricated as an electrode for an enhanced photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activity toward organic dye decomposition. TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs with a unique hierarchical top-porous and bottom-tubular structure were prepared by a facile two-step anodization method and Pd nanoparticles were decorated onto the TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs via a photoreduction process. The PEC activity of Pd/TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs was investigated by decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB). Because of formation Schottky junctions between TiO<sub>2</sub> and Pd, which significantly promoted the electron transfer and reduced the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, the Pd/TiO<sub>2</sub> NT electrode showed significantly higher PEC activities than TiO<sub>2</sub> NTs. Interestingly, an obvious synergy between two dyes was observed and corresponding mechanism based on facilitated transfer of electrons and holes as a result of a suitable energy level alignment was suggested. The findings of this work provide a fundamental insight not only into the fabrication but also utility of Schottky junctions for enhanced environmental remediation processes. 2016-02-22 05:09:19 formation Schottky junctions PEC activity palladium nanoparticles dye decomposition electron transfer PEC activities Rhodamine B energy level alignment photogenerated electrons remediation processes Schottky junctions photoreduction process Pd Nanoparticles MB TiO 2 anodization method Synergistic PollutantsIn TiO 2 NTs Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Decomposition Pd nanoparticles