Visible light active titanoniobate nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic H2 production from water

Jinxing Yu, Y. Wang, Cai Shen, Xiaoxiang Xu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Titanoniobate nanosheets with thickness down to a few nanometers have been prepared by ion exchange and subsequent exfoliation treatment on a bulk layer compound KTiNbO5. Superior photocatalytic H2 production activity has been realized on these nanosheets, surpassing their mother compound KTiNbO5. More interestingly, their photocatalytic activity has been successfully extended into visible light region when Cr/Nb co-dopants are introduced into nanosheets. The Cr/Nb modified nanosheets show apparent quantum efficiency as high as 2.75% at 420 ± 20 nm for H2 production, outperforming a number of doped metal oxides photocatalysts. Such high photocatalytic activity origins from their tiny thickness and a much enlarged surface area that favors charge separation and transfer. Their little dependence on cocatalyst for H2 production suggest that dopants Cr may also serve as catalytic reaction sites as a substantial fraction of Cr dopants are accommodated at the surface. This facile approach to fabricate ultrathin 2D semiconductor as well as versatility of doping strategy open new playground for the design and development of efficient visible light active photocatalysts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409-418
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Catalysis
Volume377
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Co-doping
  • Nanosheet
  • Photocatalyst
  • Titanoniobate
  • Water splitting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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