Influence of fluoride-doped tin oxide interlayer on Ni–Sb–SnO2/Ti electrodes

In the present work, fluoride-doped tin oxide (FTO) as an interlayer was introduced into nickel and antimony co-doped tin dioxide coated titanium electrodes to investigate the influence of FTO interlayer on the structural properties and lifetime performance of the electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterize the morphology and crystal structure of the electrodes with or without FTO interlayer. The electrode surface became smoother with FTO interlayer introduced while the crystallite size reduced. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also adopted to analyze the electrodes’ electrochemical behavior. With FTO interlayer introduced, the formation of titanium dioxide-insulating layer on the titanium substrate was significantly retarded during the anodic process. The accelerated lifetime tests presented that the lifetime of the electrodes with proper FTO interlayer was six times longer than that without FTO interlayer. The mechanisms for the electrodes’ lifetime enhancement with FTO interlayer were discussed.