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Enhanced Photo/Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Hydrothermally Derived Cu-Doped TiO2 Solid Solution
Mohd Fazil1, Saad M Alshehri2, Yuanbing Mao3
1Nanochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 14, 2024
Summary
Highly efficient copper-doped titanium dioxide (Cu-TiO2) nanocatalysts were synthesized for enhanced hydrogen production. Doping titanium dioxide with copper tuned its band gap and increased surface area, boosting photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting for sustainable energy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient and cost-effective nanocatalysts is crucial for sustainable energy applications.
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising material, but its efficiency can be limited by its band gap and surface area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize highly efficient Cu-doped TiO2 nanocatalysts using a cost-effective hydrothermal method.
- To investigate the effect of varying copper (Cu) doping concentrations on TiO2's structural, optical, and surface properties.
- To evaluate the performance of Cu-doped TiO2 in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution.
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal synthesis of pristine and Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs).
- Characterization using PXRD, XPS, EPR, EDAX, ICP-MS, LC-HRMS, SEM, TEM, BET, Raman, PL, and UV-DRS.
- Assessment of H2 evolution via photocatalysis and electrochemical water splitting.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of Cu-doped TiO2 NPs with high specific surface area and tuned band gap.
- XPS and EPR confirmed successful Cu ion integration into the TiO2 lattice.
- Increased Cu doping led to decreased band gap (3.19-3.08 eV) and increased surface area (169.9-188.2 m²/g).
- 2.5% Cu-doped TiO2 exhibited significant H2 evolution (17.67% apparent quantum yield).
- 5% Cu-doped TiO2 showed superior performance in electrochemical water splitting compared to pristine TiO2.
Conclusions:
- Copper doping effectively tunes the band gap and enhances the surface area of TiO2 nanocatalysts.
- Cu-doped TiO2 demonstrates improved photo- and electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution.
- This research highlights the potential of tailored nanocatalysts for advanced sustainable energy solutions.
