Stable Co-Catalyst-Free Photocatalytic H2 Evolution From Oxidized Titanium Nitride Nanopowders

A simple strategy is used to thermally oxidize TiN nanopowder (∼20 nm) to an anatase phase of a TiO2:Ti(3+):N compound. In contrast to the rutile phase of such a compound, this photocatalyst provides activity for hydrogen evolution under AM1.5 conditions, without the use of any noble metal co-catalyst. Moreover the photocatalyst is active and stable over extended periods of time (tested for 4 months). Importantly, to achieve successful conversion to the active anatase polymorph, sufficiently small starting particles of TiN are needed. The key factor for catalysis is the stabilization of the co-catalytically active Ti(3+) species against oxidation by nitrogen present in the starting material.