Self-hydrogenated shell promoting photocatalytic H₂ evolution on anatase TiO₂.

ABSTRACT: As one of the most important photocatalysts, TiO₂ has triggered broad interest and intensive studies for decades. Observation of the interfacial reactions between water and TiO₂ at microscopic scale can provide key insight into the mechanisms of photocatalytic processes. Currently, experimental methodologies for characterizing photocatalytic reactions of anatase TiO₂ are mostly confined to water vapor or single molecule chemistry. Here, we investigate the photocatalytic reaction of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles in water using liquid environmental transmission electron microscopy. A self-hydrogenated shell is observed on the TiO₂ surface before the generation of hydrogen bubbles. First-principles calculations suggest that this shell is for

SUBMITTER: Lu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6048119 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature