Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity: The Impact of Ball Milling Anatase Nanopowders with TiH2

Xuemei Zhou; Ning Liu; Jochen Schmidt; Axel Kahnt; Andres Osvet; Stefan Romeis; Eva M Zolnhofer; Venkata Ramana Reddy Marthala; Dirk M Guldi; Wolfgang Peukert; Martin Hartmann; Karsten Meyer; Patrik Schmuki

doi:10.1002/adma.201604747

Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity: The Impact of Ball Milling Anatase Nanopowders with TiH₂

Adv Mater. 2017 Feb;29(5). doi: 10.1002/adma.201604747. Epub 2016 Nov 25.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials Science WW-4, LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstr. 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
² Institute of Particle Technology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
³ Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
⁴ Department of Materials Sciences 6, iMEET, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstr. 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
⁵ Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Inorganic and General Chemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstr. 1, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
⁶ ECRC-Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.

PMID: 27886413
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201604747

Abstract

Ball milling TiO₂ anatase together with TiH₂ can create an effective photocatalyst. The process changes the lattice and electronic structure of anatase. Lattice deformation created by mechanical impact combined with hydride incorporation yield electronic gap-states close to the conduction band of anatase. These provide longer lifetimes of photogenerated charge carriers and lead to an intrinsic cocatalytic activation of anatase for H₂ evolution.

Keywords: anatase; ball milling; hydrogen evolution; photocatalysis; titanium hydride.