Tuning CuOx-TiO2 interaction and photocatalytic hydrogen production of CuOx/TiO2 photocatalysts via TiO2 morphology engineering

Abstract CuO x /TiO 2 photocatalysts prepared with anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals exposing different types of facets as supports were examined for photocatalytic H 2 production in methanol/water solution under simulated solar light. Catalyst structures were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, XPS, UV–vis, EPR, PL, H 2 -TPR and CO chemisorption. Enhanced photocatalytic H 2 productions of CuO x /TiO 2 photocatalysts followed an order of CuO x /TiO 2 -{0 0 1} > CuO x /TiO 2 -{1 0 0} > CuO x /TiO 2 -{1 0 1}. TiO 2 facets were found to strongly affect the CuO x -TiO 2 interaction and structures of CuO x /TiO 2 photocatalysts. Cu 2 O-TiO 2 interaction in CuO x /TiO 2 -{0 0 1} photocatalyst is the strongest, resulting in the highest Cu 2 O dispersion and density of Cu 2 O-TiO 2 heterojunctions active in photocatalytic H 2 production. The results add insights into morphology engineering as an effective strategy to tune structures and photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 -based composite photocatalysts.