Noble metal free photocatalytic H2 generation on black TiO2: On the influence of crystal facets vs. crystal damage

Liu N, Steinrueck HG, Osvet A, Yang Y, Schmuki P (2017)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Applied Physics Letters American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Publisher: American Institute of Physics Inc.

Book Volume: 110

Article Number: 072102

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.1063/1.4976010

Abstract

In this study, we investigate noble metal free photocatalytic water splitting on natural anatase single crystal facets and on wafer slices of the [001] plane before and after these surfaces have been modified by high pressure hydrogenation and hydrogen ion-implantation. We find that on the natural, intact low index planes, photocatalytic H2 evolution (in the absence of a noble metal co-catalyst) can only be achieved when the hydrogenation treatment is accompanied by the introduction of crystal damage, such as simple scratching and miscut in the crystal, or by implantation damage. X-ray reflectivity, Raman, and optical reflection measurements show that plain hydrogenation leads to a ≈ 1 nm thick black titania surface layer without activity, while a colorless, density modified, and ≈7 nm thick layer with broken crystal symmetry is present on the ion implanted surface. These results demonstrate that (i) the H-treatment of an intact anatase surface needs to be combined with defect formation for catalytic activation and (ii) activation does not necessarily coincide with the presence of black color.

Authors with CRIS profile

Ning Liu Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) (LKO) Andres Osvet Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET) Yuyun Yang Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien) Patrik Schmuki Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) (LKO)

Involved external institutions

Stanford National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Liu, N., Steinrueck, H.-G., Osvet, A., Yang, Y., & Schmuki, P. (2017). Noble metal free photocatalytic H2 generation on black TiO2: On the influence of crystal facets vs. crystal damage. Applied Physics Letters, 110(7). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4976010

MLA:

Liu, Ning, et al. "Noble metal free photocatalytic H2 generation on black TiO2: On the influence of crystal facets vs. crystal damage." Applied Physics Letters 110.7 (2017).

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