Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity: The Impact of Ball Milling Anatase Nanopowders with TiH<sub>2</sub>.

Zhou, Xuemei; Liu, Ning; Schmidt, Jochen; Kahnt, Axel; Osvet, Andres; Romeis, Stefan; Zolnhofer, Eva M; Marthala, Venkata Ramana Reddy et al. · Adv Mater · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Ball milling TiO<sub>2</sub> anatase together with TiH<sub>2</sub> can create an effective photocatalyst. The process changes the lattice and electronic structure of anatase. Lattice deformation created by mechanical impact combined with hydride incorporation yield electronic gap-states close to the conduction band of anatase. These provide longer lifetimes of photogenerated charge carriers and lead to an intrinsic cocatalytic activation of anatase for H<sub>2</sub> evolution.