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This work employs a straightforward, simple and low-cost method to grow g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots (QDs) on a distinctive morphology of urchin-like TiO 2 (u-TiO 2 ) nanostructures. u-TiO 2 on Ti foil was prepared by the hydrothermal method under the optimized experimental parameters, including hydrothermal time and temperature. Then, for the activation of u-TiO 2 under visible light irradiation, g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots (g-C 3 N 4 QDs) were decorated on u-TiO 2 by combining a wet pre-coating and subsequent thermal evaporation procedure. The experimental parameters of the process were examined to determine the optimized conditions for the highest photocurrent density ( J ph ) in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. g-C 3 N 4 QDs were elucidated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). HRTEM results revealed a uniform distribution of anchored g-C 3 N 4 QDs on the surface of u-TiO 2 with a mean size of about 10 nm. Optimized decoration of g-C 3 N 4 QDs on the u-TiO 2 dramatically enhanced J ph under simulated sunlight irradiation from 0.06 mA/cm 2 for pristine u-TiO 2 up to 0.12 mA/cm 2 for TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 QDs photoanodes under the biased potential of 0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl. Based on the results, the type-II heterostructure of u-TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 facilitates electron–hole separation and charge carrier transfer, thereby improving the PEC performance of the proposed photoanode.

This work employs a straightforward, simple and low-cost method to grow g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 quantum dots (QDs) on a distinctive morphology of urchin-like TiO.sub.2 (u-TiO.sub.2) nanostructures. u-TiO.sub.2 on Ti foil was prepared by the hydrothermal method under the optimized experimental parameters, including hydrothermal time and temperature. Then, for the activation of u-TiO.sub.2 under visible light irradiation, g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 quantum dots (g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 QDs) were decorated on u-TiO.sub.2 by combining a wet pre-coating and subsequent thermal evaporation procedure. The experimental parameters of the process were examined to determine the optimized conditions for the highest photocurrent density (J.sub.ph) in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 QDs were elucidated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). HRTEM results revealed a uniform distribution of anchored g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 QDs on the surface of u-TiO.sub.2 with a mean size of about 10 nm. Optimized decoration of g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 QDs on the u-TiO.sub.2 dramatically enhanced J.sub.ph under simulated sunlight irradiation from 0.06 mA/cm.sup.2 for pristine u-TiO.sub.2 up to 0.12 mA/cm.sup.2 for TiO.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4QDs photoanodes under the biased potential of 0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl. Based on the results, the type-II heterostructure of u-TiO.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 facilitates electron-hole separation and charge carrier transfer, thereby improving the PEC performance of the proposed photoanode.

In this mini-review, we summarize fabrication methods, formation mechanisms, factors that control the characteristics, and applications of self-assembled nanopillars. Nanopillars prepared both in the gas phase and in solutions are discussed.