Cu nanoclusters incorporated mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles: An efficient and stable noble metal-free photocatalyst for light driven H2 generation

It has been regarded as a promising strategy utilizing Cu co-catalyst to prepare efficient TiO2-based photocatalysts. Traditionally, Cu co-catalyst is directly loaded on the surface of TiO2. Herein, we designed and prepared an innovative photocatalytic system, Cu nano clusters incorporated mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles which possess plum pudding-like structure, to enhance the interaction between Cu co-catalyst and TiO2, and the stability of Cu co-catalyst. The results indicate that the as-prepared nanoparticles are an efficient noble metal-free photocatalyst for H-2 production. The highest H-2 evolution rate is up to 5.9 mmol g(-1) h(-1). Here, the Cu nanoclusters play three roles as follows: traps of the photogenerated electrons, active sites, and harvesters of visible light. Moreover, the stability of Cu co-catalyst can be obviously enhanced via embedding Cu co-catalyst into TiO2 matrix. This work provides a new route to an efficient and stable photocatalytic system containing TiO2 and Cu for photocatalytic H-2 production. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An innovative photocatalytic system incorporating Cu nano clusters into mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles has been designed to enhance the interaction between Cu co-catalyst and TiO2, as well as the stability of Cu co-catalyst, resulting in efficient H-2 production. Cu nanoclusters in the system play three roles: electron traps, active sites, and light harvesters. Embedding Cu co-catalyst into TiO2 matrix can significantly enhance the stability of Cu co-catalyst.