"Black" TiO2 Nanotubes Formed by High-Energy Proton Implantation Show Noble-Metal-co-Catalyst Free Photocatalytic H2-Evolution.

Liu, Ning; Häublein, Volker; Zhou, Xuemei; Venkatesan, Umamaheswari; Hartmann, Martin; Mačković, Mirza; Nakajima, Tomohiko; Spiecker, Erdmann et al. · Nano Lett · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We apply high-energy proton ion-implantation to modify TiO2 nanotubes selectively at their tops. In the proton-implanted region, we observe the creation of intrinsic cocatalytic centers for photocatalytic H2-evolution. We find proton implantation to induce specific defects and a characteristic modification of the electronic properties not only in nanotubes but also on anatase single crystal (001) surfaces. Nevertheless, for TiO2 nanotubes a strong synergetic effect between implanted region (catalyst) and implant-free tube segment (absorber) can be obtained.