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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
Atomic Layer Deposition-Confined Nonstoichiometric TiO2 Nanocrystals with Tunneling Effects for Solar Driven Hydrogen
Peng Zhang1, Takashi Tachikawa2,3, Mamoru Fujitsuka1
1The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University , Mihogaoka 8-1, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
Abstract:
Ti(3+) self-doped TiO2 nanocrystals (TNCs) confined with controllable atomic layer deposition (ALD) amorphous layers were developed to provide a novel model of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photocatalysts for hydrogen generation in the ultraviolet to near-infrared region. Photoexcitation of optimized MIS nanostructures consisting of a metal cocatalyst (Pt), electron tunneling layer (ALD TiO2), and photoactive nonstoichiometric core (Ti(3+)-doped TNC) exhibited efficient hydrogen generation (52 μmol h(-1)·g(-1)), good reusability (16 h), and long-term stability (>7 d). The charge-transfer dynamics were examined using transient absorption spectroscopy to clarify the relationship between the photocatalytic activity and the tunneling effect. Our strategies highlight defect engineering in fabricating MIS photocatalysts with improved charge separation and tailored solar energy conversion properties.
