Generations Yi Ma,† Xiuli Wang,† Yushuai Jia,† Xiaobo Chen,‡ Hongxian Han,*,† and Can Li*,† †State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China ‡Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, United States

Titanium dioxide-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic fuel generations.

Hydrogen production from water splitting by photo/photoelectron-catalytic process is a promising route to solve both fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution at the same time. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes have attracted much interest due to their large specific surface area and highly ordered structure, which has led to promising potential applications in photocatalytic degradation, photoreduction of CO2, water splitting, supercapacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, lithium-ion batteries and biomedical devices. Nanotubes can be fabricated via facile hydrothermal method, solvothermal method, template technique and electrochemical anodic oxidation. In this report, we provide a comprehensive review on recent progress of the synthesis and modification of TiO2 nanotubes to be used for photo/photoelectro-catalytic water splitting. The future development of TiO2 nanotubes is also discussed.

One‐dimensional TiO2 Nanotube Photocatalysts for Solar Water Splitting

https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/10220/9981/1/In-situ%20Growth%20of%20CdS%20Quantum%20Dots%20on%20g-C3N4%20Nanosheets%20for.pdf

In-situ growth of CdS quantum dots on g-C3N4 nanosheets for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation

We report a new type of Au@TiO2–CdS ternary nanostructure by decorating CdS nanoparticles onto Au@TiO2 core–shell structures. In comparison to that of binary structures such as CdS–TiO2 and Au@TiO2, these ternary nanostructures exhibit a remarkably high photocatalytic H2-generation rate under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the unique ternary design, which builds up a transfer path for the photoexcited electrons of CdS to the core Au particles via the TiO2 nanocrystal bridge and thus effectively suppresses the electron-hole recombination on the CdS photocatalyst. This internal electron-transfer pathway (CdS → TiO2 → Au) eliminates the need for the postdeposition of the metal cocatalyst because the core Au nanoparticles can act as the interior active catalyst for proton reduction toward hydrogen evolution. We believe that our work demonstrates a promising way for the rational design of metal–semiconductor hybrid photocatalysts that can achieve a high photoca...

Au@TiO2-CdS ternary nanostructures for efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen generation.

One-dimensional titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based nanotubes have attracted great interest to be used as photocatalysts in the field of environmental applications. Three main approaches via template-assisted, electrochemical anodic oxidation and alkaline hydrothermal treatment used to prepare the nanostructured TiO2-based nanotubes are reviewed. The parameters that affect the formation of TiO2-based nanotubes via hydrothermal method such as phases and particle sizes of starting materials, types and concentrations of alkaline solution, temperature and duration of hydrothermal treatment, ultrasonication- and microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, acid washing and calcination have been reviewed in details. This paper also discussed the possible crystal structure and formation mechanism of TiO2-based nanotubes via alkaline hydrothermal treatment. In addition, the recent research progress on the structural modification of TiO2-based nanotubes to be used as photocatalysts is summarized in this review. Modification strategies investigated include metal nanoparticles deposition, single- and co-doping of metal ions/non-metal ions, coupled with other semiconductors to form binary composites and hybrid with carbon nanomaterials.

C. Ramesh

Papers

Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation by Pt modified TiO2 nanotubes fabricated by rapid breakdown anodization