CuWO4-x nanoparticles incorporated brookite TiO2 porous nanospheres: Preparation and dramatic photocatalytic activity for light driven H2 generation

CuWO4-x nanoparticles incorporated bmokite TiO2 porous nanospheres were prepared and investigated for photocatalytic light driven H-2 generation. The as-prepared nanospheres are an efficient and stable noble metalfree photocatalyst for H-2 production. The highest H-2 evolution rate is 9.85 mmol g(-1) h(-1), which is 25 times as high as that over the commercial TiO2 nanoparticles (P25, 0.39 mmol g(-1) h(-1)). This dramatic photocatalytic activity may be mainly attributed to the following two aspects: (1) the superior separation of the electro-hole pair caused by efficient charge transfer between TiO2 matrix and CuWO4-x nanoparticles which follows a Z-schemelike mechanism, and (2) large specific surface area and abundant micmpores. Moreover, also the stability of the as-prepared TiO2 nanospheres is satisfactory. After two consecutive runs, the photocatalytic activity is still about 90 percent of the initial photocatalytic activity.

Automated summary

CuWO4-x nanoparticles incorporated bmokite TiO2 porous nanospheres exhibit superior photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation, attributed to efficient charge separation and large specific surface area. The stability of the TiO2 nanospheres after multiple runs remains satisfactory, maintaining about 90% of the initial photocatalytic activity.