Ultrathin tungsten-doped hydrogenated titanium dioxide nanosheets for solar-driven hydrogen evolution

In this work, we demonstrate the synthesis of ultrathin tungsten-doped hydrogenated TiO2 (W-h-TiO2) nanosheets for photocatalytic hydrogen production by water splitting without a noble metal as a cocatalyst. In addition to the bandgap modulation and solar absorption enhancement, tungsten doping can introduce more oxygen vacancies and effectively enhance the photothermal effect, which is beneficial for improving the photocatalytic ability of h-TiO2 nanosheets. As a result, the hydrogen evolution rate of W-h-TiO2 can reach up to 338.79 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) in the full spectrum (AM 1.5G).

Automated summary

In this study, ultrathin tungsten-doped hydrogenated TiO2 nanosheets were successfully synthesized and used for photocatalytic hydrogen production without the need for a noble metal cocatalyst. Tungsten doping not only modulates the bandgap and enhances solar absorption, but also introduces more oxygen vacancies and effectively improves the photothermal effect, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity of the nanosheets. The hydrogen evolution rate of the tungsten-doped nanosheets can reach 338.79 mumol g(-1) h(-1) under full spectrum (AM 1.5G) illumination.