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

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.

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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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