Search

Abstract: A novel photocatalyst was designed from the inspiration of natural forest''s high efficient on light harvesting and energy conversion. This novel “forest-like” photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile continuously-conducted three steps methods: electrospinning TiO2 nanofiber acts as the trunks, hydrothermal growth ZnO nanorods on the surface of TiO2 nanofiber acts as the branches, while photodeposition of Cu nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 nanofiber and ZnO nanorods act as the leaves. This novel photocatalyst demonstrated higher photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate than most of semiconductor catalysts and many newly developed catalysts such as Pt/TiO2 catalyst and artificial leaves Pt/N–TiO2 catalyst in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system under the light irradiation as a result of its enhanced light absorption ability, enlarged specific surface area promoting mass transfer and providing more reaction sites and its potential on anti-recombination of electrons and holes. Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that the photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity has a liner relationship with the hierarchy of materials, which means higher hierarchy materials display higher photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity. It is reasonable to believe that this natural mimic photocatalyst without noble metals will benefit the energy generation and novel materials development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Innovative TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning an innovated precursor solution and used for photocatalytic H2 generation. The nanofibers exhibited greatly enhanced H2 evolution rate compared to bare TiO2 nanofiber and P25. The enhanced efficiency of the TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers was attributed to its excellent synergistic properties: (1) its good mesoporosity; (2) the red-shift of absorbance spectra to enhance light absorbance capability; (3) its long nanofibrous structure and (4) anatase TiO2 – rutile TiO2 – rutile SnO2 ternary junctions favorable for the separation of electrons and holes. Based on our experimental results, the optimum ratio of TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers with 3% Sn demonstrated the highest efficiency in H2 generation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel high efficient photocatalyst is the key for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting. In this study, a novel hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture was designed and synthesized via a combination of hydrothermal and photodeposition method. The as-prepared nanostructured materials was shown to effectively generate hydrogen in the mixture of methanol and water (v/v = 1:10). This is because the hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture: 1) greatly enhances the light utilization rate due to its special architecture, 2) enlarges the specific surface area, providing more reaction sites and promoting mass transfer, 3) promotes the photogenerated electrons transfer from ZnO to CuO, achieving the anti-recombination effect of electrons and holes, and 4) avoids the photocorrosion of ZnO to improve the stability of ZnO as a catalyst during water splitting. Moreover, the novel hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture is easily recovered for reuse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficient Cu incorporated TiO2 (Cu–TiO2) photocatalysts for hydrogen generation were fabricated by four methods: in situ sol–gel, wet impregnation, chemical reduction of Cu salt, and in situ photo-deposition. All prepared samples are characterized by good dispersion of Cu components, and excellent light absorption ability. Depending on the preparation process, hydrogen generation rates of the as-prepared Cu–TiO2 were recorded in the range of 9–20mmolh−1 gcatalyst −1, which were even more superior to some noble metal (Pt/Au) loaded TiO2. The various fabrication methods led to different chemical states of Cu, as well as different distribution ratio of Cu between surface and bulk phases of the photocatalyst. Both factors have been proven to influence photocatalytic hydrogen generation. In addition, the Cu content in the photocatalyst played a significant role in hydrogen generation. Among the four photocatalysts, the sample that was synthesized by in situ sol–gel method exhibited the highest stability. High efficiency, low cost, good stability are some of the merits that underline the promising potential of Cu–TiO2 in photocatalytic hydrogen generation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]