N2 plasma treatment TiO2 nanosheets for enhanced visible light-driven photocatalysis

Abstract An enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of Titanium dioxide nanosheets (TiO2 NFs) by N2 plasma (N-plasma) treatment has been suggested. TiO2 NFs was synthesized by a solvothermal method and treated with N-plasma at atmospheric pressure. Then the as-prepared TiO2 and N-plasma treated TiO2 (N-TiO2) NFs photocatalyst were extensively characterized. Interestingly, more oxygen vacancy and Ti3+ ions were found in the N-TiO2 NFs. Meanwhile, Ti3+ ions form the Ti3+ self-doped system, which causing the light absorption range enhanced. The catalytic H2 evolution of N-TiO2 NFs at a rate of 8.1 mmol g−1 h−1, which is 14.85 times higher than that of the pristine TiO2 NFs. These results might suggest new views for the photoactivity of TiO2 NFs and provide a kind of feasibility for other metal oxides in the photocatalytic field.