Photocatalytic H2 generation using dewetted Pt-decorated TiO2 nanotubes - Optimized dewetting and oxide crystallization by a multiple annealing process

Abstract

In the present work we use TiO2 nanotube arrays, carrying a Pt coating that is optimally dewetted, as a photocatalyst to generate H2. In order to achieve a maximum H2-generation efficiency, on the one hand an ideal thermal dewetting of the Pt layer into nanoparticles is needed that requires an oxygen free heat treatment, and on the other hand an optimal crystallization of the TiO2 nanotubes into anatase with reduced defect density is achieved only by annealing in O2 containing environment. To overcome this issue, we combine adequate reducing and oxidizing conditions in a multiple annealing treatment, and obtain Pt-decorated anatase TiO2 nanotubes showing significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation ability.

References in corpus (5)

• One-dimensional Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials: Nanotubes
• Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Evolution: Controlled Dewetting-Dealloying to Fabricate Site-Selective High-activity Nanoporous Au Particles on Highly Ordered TiO2 Nanotube Arrays
• Noble metals on anodic TiO2 nanotubes mouths: Thermal dewetting of minimal Pt co-catalyst loading leads to significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation
• Suspended Pt nanoparticles over TiO2 nanotubes for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution
• Enhanced Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells based on TiO2 Nanotube Membranes using Optimized Annealing Profile

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Templated Dewetting-Alloying of NiCu Bilayers on TiO${}_2$ Nanotubes Enables Efficient Noble Metal-Free Photocatalytic $H_2$ Evolution
• Photocatalytic reduction and scavenging of Hg(II) over templated-dewetted Au on TiO${}_2$ nanotubes
• Double-Side Cocatalytic Activation of Anodic TiO${}_2$ Nanotube Membranes with Sputter-Coated Pt for Photocatalytic H${}_2$ Generation from Water-Ethanol Mixtures
• Transparent TiO2 Nanotubes Arrays Directly Grown on Quartz Glass Used in Front- and Back-Side Irradiation Configuration for Photocatalytic H2 Generation