Surface Engineering of TiO2 Nanosheets to Boost Photocatalytic Methanol Dehydrogenation for Hydrogen Evolution

Low-cost high-efficiency H2 evolution is indispensable for its large-scale applications in the future. In the research, we expect to build high active photocatalysts for sunlight-driven H2 production by surface engineering to adjust the work function of photocatalyst surfaces, adsorption/ desorption ability of substrates and products, and reaction activation energy barrier. Single-atom Pt doped TiO2-x nanosheets (NSs), mainly including two facets of (001) and (101), with loading of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) at their edges (Pt/TiO2-x-SAP) are successfully prepared by an oxygen vacancy engaged synthetic strategy. According to the theoretical simulation, the implanted single-atom Pt can change the surface work function of TiO2, which benefits electron transfer, and electrons tend to gather at Pt NPs adsorbed at (101) facet-related edges of TiO2 NSs for H2 evolution. Pt/TiO2-x-SAP exhibits ultrahigh photocatalytic performance of hydrogen evolution from dry methanol with a quantum yield of 90.8% that is similar to 1385 times higher than pure TiO2-x NSs upon 365 nm light irradiation. The high H2 generation rate (607 mmol gcata-1 h-1) of Pt/TiO2-x-SAP is the basis for its potential applications in the transportation field with irradiation of UV-visible light (100 mW cm-2). Finally, lower adsorption energy for HCHO on Ti sites originated from TiO2 (001) doping single-atom Pt is responsible for high selective dehydrogenation of methanol to HCHO, and H tends to favorably gather at Pt NPs on the TiO2 (101) surface to produce H2.

Automated summary

Low-cost high-efficiency H2 evolution is essential for large-scale applications. This research aims to build highly active photocatalysts for sunlight-driven H2 production through surface engineering. Single-atom Pt doped TiO2-x nanosheets (NSs) with Pt nanoparticles (NPs) at their edges are prepared by an oxygen vacancy engaged synthetic strategy. The Pt/TiO2-x-SAP exhibits ultrahigh photocatalytic performance with a quantum yield of 90.8% and a H2 generation rate of 607 mmol gcata-1 h-1.