Highly Performance Core-Shell TiO2(B)/anatase Homojunction Nanobelts with Active Cobalt phosphide Cocatalyst for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

In this paper, a highly efficient core-shell structure of TiO₂(B)/anatase photocatalyst with CoP cocatalyst has been synthesized via hydrothermal processes and a mechanical milling method. The designed core-shell TiO₂(B)/anatase photocatalysts exhibit excellent performance by compared with pure TiO₂(B) and anatase phase. With the participation of CoP particles, there is drastically enhanced  photocatalytic activity of TiO₂(B)/anatase, and the H₂-production rate can be up to 7400 μmol·g⁻¹, which is about 3.2 times higher than TiO₂(B)/anatase photocatalyst. The improved activity is attributed to the contribution of the well-matched core-shell structure and cooperative effect of CoP cocatalyst. The photogenerated holes of anatase can migrate more promptly to the adjacent TiO₂(B) core than the photogenerated electrons, which result in an accumulation of electrons in the anatase, and CoP nanoparticles can contribute significantly to transferring electrons from the surface of TiO₂(A). It was found that the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs greatly improved the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in water under UV light irradiation.