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Metastable Ni(I)-TiO2-x Photocatalysts: Self-Amplifying H2 Evolution from Plain Water without Noble Metal Co-Catalyst and Sacrificial Agent

Altomare M, Qin S, Saveleva VA, Badura Z, Tomanec O, Mazare AV, Zoppellaro G, Vertova A, Taglietti A, Minguzzi A, Ghigna P, Schmuki P (2023)

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Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08199

Abstract

Decoration of semiconductor photocatalysts with cocatalysts is generally done by a step-by-step assembly process. Here, we describe the self-assembling and self-activating nature of a photocatalytic system that forms under illumination of reduced anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in an aqueous Ni²⁺ solution. UV illumination creates in situ a Ni⁺/TiO2/Ti³⁺ photocatalyst that self-activates and, over time, produces H2 at a higher rate. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy show that key to self-assembly and self-activation is the light-induced formation of defects in the semiconductor, which enables the formation of monovalent nickel (Ni⁺) surface states. Metallic nickel states, i.e., Ni⁰, do not form under the dark (resting state) or under illumination (active state). Once the catalyst is assembled, the Ni⁺ surface states act as electron relay for electron transfer to form H2 from water, in the absence of sacrificial species or noble metal cocatalysts.

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APA:

Altomare, M., Qin, S., Saveleva, V.A., Badura, Z., Tomanec, O., Mazare, A.V.,... Schmuki, P. (2023). Metastable Ni(I)-TiO2-x Photocatalysts: Self-Amplifying H2 Evolution from Plain Water without Noble Metal Co-Catalyst and Sacrificial Agent. Journal of the American Chemical Society. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c08199

MLA:

Altomare, Marco, et al. "Metastable Ni(I)-TiO2-x Photocatalysts: Self-Amplifying H2 Evolution from Plain Water without Noble Metal Co-Catalyst and Sacrificial Agent." Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023).

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