Enhanced Photoactivity of Oxygen-Deficient Anatase TiO2 Sheets with Dominant {001} Facets

Constructing photocatalytically favorable Surface structure in synthesizing photocatalysts plays an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor photocatalysts. In this report, oxygen-deficient anatase TiO2 sheets with dominant {001} facets were synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal route with solid metallic titanium diboride as precursor. In contrast to anatase TiO2 sheets with dominant {001} facets free of oxygen deficiency and surface fluorine, anatase TiO2 sheets with oxygen deficiency and surface fluorine are Subject to obvious surface reconstruction as evidenced by two new Raman-active modes at 155 and 171 cm(-1) and the weakened B-1g mode at 397 cm(-1). Further analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of Pt 4f and F Is provided a clear evidence for the greatly strengthened interaction between Pt-loaded and TiO2 matrix as a result of a special electron-transfer process on the reconstructed Surface structure of TiO2 with both oxygen deficiency and fluorine. Importantly, the reconstructed surface structure as well as the strengthened interaction between Pt-loaded and TiO2 matrix can substantially enhance the hydrogen evolution rate from photocatalytic water splitting reactions.