Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity by Pt Confined within N-Doped Carbon on TiO2 Inner Surface

The semiconductor structure has a great effect on the conversion of solar energy into hydrogen energy. Herein, the hollow TiO2 composite with an N-doped carbon (NC) layer and evenly dispersed Pt nanoparticles (NC/Pt@TiO2) on its inner surface was prepared through the synchronous precarburization of N-containing polymers and in situ reduction of Pt precursor. Benefiting from all of the well-distributed and Pt nanoparticles that contain both Pt-0 and Pt2+, high conductivity of NC layers, high surface area, big bore diameter, and the optimized charge transfer between Pt and NC, the photocatalytic H-2 production by NC/Pt@TiO2-900 reaches up to 23.8 mmol.h(-1).g(-1). Moreover, due to the strong combination of Pt and NC layers through Pt-N bonds, NC/Pt@TiO2-900 still presents good photocatalytic stability. Given all this, this study highlights the greater potential of the thin NC layers in the development of novel photocatalysts with excellent performance.

Automated summary

A hollow TiO2 composite with an N-doped carbon layer and evenly dispersed Pt nanoparticles on its inner surface was prepared, showing optimized photocatalytic hydrogen production and stability.