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

• Published in: Journal of physical chemistry. C Vol. 113; no. 52; pp. 21784 - 21788
• Main Authors: Liu, Gang, Yang, Hua Gui, Wang, Xuewen, Cheng, Lina, Lu, Haofeng, Wang, Lianzhou, Lu, Gao Qing (Max), Cheng, Hui-Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 31.12.2009
• Subjects: C: Surfaces, Interfaces, Catalysis
• ISSN: 1932-7447; 1932-7455
• DOI: 10.1021/jp907749r

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 B1g mode at 397 cm−1. Further analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of Pt 4f and F 1s 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.