Research Article

Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles

Number: 2026-1 January 25, 2026

Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a sustainable route to hydrogen fuel production. Furthermore, titania nanotubular arrays (TNTAs) are promising photoanode materials due to their excellent stability, high surface area, and efficient charge transport; their wide band gap limits visible light absorption and practical efficiency. The study prepared crystalline TNTAs by anodizing titanium foil and annealing amorphous TiO2, then electrodeposited In2O3 nanoparticles onto the TNTA structure at varying times (5, 10, 15 minutes) to create heterojunction semiconductors. The electrodeposition bath consisted of In(NO₃)₃ and C6H8O7 at room temperature. The resulting materials were characterized using FESEM-EDX, XRD, and UV-VIS spectroscopy to assess structural, morphological, and optical properties. Photoelectrochemical activity was assessed by measuring photocurrent generation in a PEC cell using a 1M KOH electrolyte and a 450W xenon lamp. FESEM micrographs of In2O3/TNTA photoanodes showed good In2O3 distribution on nanotube arrays. A porous honeycomb structure with a large surface area was observed at 5 minutes, becoming denser with increased deposition time, enhancing electrical properties. At 15 minutes, larger clusters indicated stability. The maximum Indium elemental composition on TNTA was 0.31%. XRD verified the extent of TiO2 (rutile and anatase) and In2O3 in the TNTA photoanodes, while UV-VIS spectra indicated visible light absorption across all photoanodes. PEC results demonstrated that indium oxide decorated Short and Long TNTAs produced photocurrent densities of 0.32 and 0.69 mA/cm2, respectively, highlighting the potential of In2O3/TNTA heterostructures for enhanced visible light utilization and charge separation for efficient hydrogen production from water.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Sebha university and University of elmergib

Project Number

not

Ethical Statement

I testify on behalf of all co-authors that our article submitted followed ethical principles in publishing.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Chemical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 25, 2026

Submission Date

October 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2026-1

APA
Daribi, E., Ahribesh, A., Krifiet, R., Ahbesh, A., Albrbar, A., Al-Abbasi, A., Milad, A., Kassim, M. B., & Wan Daud, W. R. (2026). Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry, 2026-1, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18596/jotcsa.1799781
AMA
1.Daribi E, Ahribesh A, Krifiet R, et al. Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles. JOTCSA. 2026;(2026-1):1-13. doi:10.18596/jotcsa.1799781
Chicago
Daribi, Elham, Aysha Ahribesh, Raja Krifiet, et al. 2026. “Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry, no. 2026-1: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18596/jotcsa.1799781.
EndNote
Daribi E, Ahribesh A, Krifiet R, Ahbesh A, Albrbar A, Al-Abbasi A, Milad A, Kassim MB, Wan Daud WR (January 1, 2026) Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry 2026-1 1–13.
IEEE
[1]E. Daribi et al., “Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles”, JOTCSA, no. 2026-1, pp. 1–13, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18596/jotcsa.1799781.
ISNAD
Daribi, Elham - Ahribesh, Aysha - Krifiet, Raja - Ahbesh, Amal - Albrbar, Asma - Al-Abbasi, Aisha - Milad, Asma - Kassim, Mohammad B. - Wan Daud, Wan Ramli. “Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry. 2026-1 (January 1, 2026): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18596/jotcsa.1799781.
JAMA
1.Daribi E, Ahribesh A, Krifiet R, Ahbesh A, Albrbar A, Al-Abbasi A, Milad A, Kassim MB, Wan Daud WR. Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles. JOTCSA. 2026;:1–13.
MLA
Daribi, Elham, et al. “Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section A: Chemistry, no. 2026-1, Jan. 2026, pp. 1-13, doi:10.18596/jotcsa.1799781.
Vancouver
1.Elham Daribi, Aysha Ahribesh, Raja Krifiet, Amal Ahbesh, Asma Albrbar, Aisha Al-Abbasi, Asma Milad, Mohammad B. Kassim, Wan Ramli Wan Daud. Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubular Arrays via Incorporation of Indium Oxide Nanoparticles. JOTCSA. 2026 Jan. 1;(2026-1):1-13. doi:10.18596/jotcsa.1799781