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Stable Co‐Catalyst‐Free Photocatalytic H 2 Evolution From Oxidized Titanium Nitride Nanopowders
Author(s) -
Zhou Xuemei,
Zolnhofer Eva M.,
Nguyen Nhat Truong,
Liu Ning,
Meyer Karsten,
Schmuki Patrik
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201506797
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , anatase , tin , catalysis , materials science , nitride , rutile , noble metal , titanium nitride , titanium , phase (matter) , inorganic chemistry , metal , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , metallurgy , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , engineering
A simple strategy is used to thermally oxidize TiN nanopowder (∼20 nm) to an anatase phase of a TiO 2 :Ti 3+ :N compound. In contrast to the rutile phase of such a compound, this photocatalyst provides activity for hydrogen evolution under AM1.5 conditions, without the use of any noble metal co‐catalyst. Moreover the photocatalyst is active and stable over extended periods of time (tested for 4 months). Importantly, to achieve successful conversion to the active anatase polymorph, sufficiently small starting particles of TiN are needed. The key factor for catalysis is the stabilization of the co‐catalytically active Ti 3+ species against oxidation by nitrogen present in the starting material.