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Self-hydrogenated shell promoting photocatalytic H2 evolution on anatase TiO2.


ABSTRACT: As one of the most important photocatalysts, TiO2 has triggered broad interest and intensive studies for decades. Observation of the interfacial reactions between water and TiO2 at microscopic scale can provide key insight into the mechanisms of photocatalytic processes. Currently, experimental methodologies for characterizing photocatalytic reactions of anatase TiO2 are mostly confined to water vapor or single molecule chemistry. Here, we investigate the photocatalytic reaction of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in water using liquid environmental transmission electron microscopy. A self-hydrogenated shell is observed on the TiO2 surface before the generation of hydrogen bubbles. First-principles calculations suggest that this shell is formed through subsurface diffusion of photo-reduced water protons generated at the aqueous TiO2 interface, which promotes photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by reducing the activation barrier for H2 (H-H bond) formation. Experiments confirm that the self-hydrogenated shell contains reduced titanium ions, and its thickness can increase to several nanometers with increasing UV illuminance.

SUBMITTER: Lu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6048119 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Self-hydrogenated shell promoting photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> evolution on anatase TiO<sub>2</sub>.

Lu Yue Y   Yin Wen-Jin WJ   Peng Kai-Lin KL   Wang Kuan K   Hu Qi Q   Selloni Annabella A   Chen Fu-Rong FR   Liu Li-Min LM   Sui Man-Ling ML  

Nature communications 20180716 1


As one of the most important photocatalysts, TiO<sub>2</sub> has triggered broad interest and intensive studies for decades. Observation of the interfacial reactions between water and TiO<sub>2</sub> at microscopic scale can provide key insight into the mechanisms of photocatalytic processes. Currently, experimental methodologies for characterizing photocatalytic reactions of anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> are mostly confined to water vapor or single molecule chemistry. Here, we investigate the photoca  ...[more]

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