Achieving solar-to-hydrogen evolution promotion using TiO2 nanoparticles and an unanchored Cu co-catalyst. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Gang; Zhang, Mengmeng; Han, Chao; Liang, Ying; Zhao, Kai
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 129(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Semiconductors -- Cu co-catalyst -- Nanostructures -- Hydrogen evolution -- Photocatalysis; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2020.110891
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Spherical Cu nanoparticle was prepared by a facile approach. Mixing TiO2 nanoparticle with Cu particle enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution. Spherical Cu particle as a co-catalyst during solar-to-hydrogen evolution. The collisions between the TiO2 and Cu nanoparticles improved charge separation. Abstract: Spherical Cu particles were successfully synthesized by a facile strategy at room temperature. The crystal phase and structure were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM measurements. The physical mixing of the as-synthesized copper spheres with TiO2 nanoparticles could initial and promote solar-to-hydrogen evolution in methanol aqueous solution. TEM result showed that the partial of Cu co-catalyst attached on the surface of the host TiO2 nanoparticles, although the interface of TiO2 -Cu non-existed in the synthetic process. On the basis of photo/electro-chemical measurements, it was proposed that charge transfer was accomplished via collisions between the TiO2 and Cu nanoparticles, which promoted charge separation and subsequently photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in the suspension.