Cu–Co‐codoped titanate/TiO 2 nanocomposite thin films for enhanced visible light absorption

Titanate nanotube thin (TNT) films were synthesised by alkaline hydrothermal method using titanium (Ti) plates as precursors. Copper–cobalt (Cu–Co)‐codoped titanate/Ti dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanocomposite thin films were prepared by doping Cu and Co to TNT films through ion exchange method and annealed at 500°C for 120 min. The as‐prepared nanocomposite films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometer, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra. The results show that anatase TiO 2 particles were grown on the surface of titanate nanomaterial films. The composite materials mainly consisted of anatase TiO 2 particles and titanate nanotubes/nanosheets. Cu–Co‐codoped titanate/TiO 2 nanocomposite thin films exhibited superior visible height adsorption property due to the reduced energy bandgap of composites introduced by additional Cu and Co 3d orbitals.