The photocatalytic water splitting is the most promising approach to harvest and chemically store solar energy in the form of chemical fuels (e.g. H2, CH4, etc.). High active, stable and inexpensive photocatalysts are being sought for H2 production. High efficient H2 production typically requires strong absorption of sun light and inhibition of photogenerated electron-hole recombination. In our work, it is found that titanium dioxide decorated onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) exhibits extremely high H2 production rate under simulated sun light. Titanium dioxides of different crystal forms are grown onto MWCNTs, and their H2 production activities are investigated. Furthermore, photoelectrochemical measurements are performed to reveal the physical origin of the enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 production under UV light. It is proposed that the energy band modification, onset potential and the fast separation of photogenerated carriers are responsible for the enhanced H2 production rate in titanium dioxide/MWCNT nanocomposites.

Titanium dioxide/carbon nanotube nanocomposites for improved H<sub>2</sub> production

246th National Meeting (2013)

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Titanium dioxide/carbon nanotube nanocomposites for improved H2 production

Titanium dioxide/carbon nanotube nanocomposites for improved H₂ production