Efficient TiO₂ Photocatalysts from Surface Hybridization of TiO₂ Particles with Graphite‐like Carbon

Abstract

Abstract Surface hybridization of TiO 2 with graphite‐like carbon layers of a few molecular layers thickness yields efficient photocatalysts. Photoelectrochemical measurements confirm an electronic interaction between TiO 2 and the graphite‐like carbon. A TiO 2 photocatalyst with a carbon shell of three molecular layers thickness (∼1 nm) shows the highest photocatalytic activity which is about two times higher than that of Degussa P25 TiO 2 under UV light irradiation. The mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation is based on the high migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons at the graphite‐like carbon/TiO 2 interface, which is due to the electronic interaction between both materials. In addition, a high activity under visible light irradiation is observed after graphite‐like carbon hybridization. TiO 2 's response is extended into the visible range of the solar spectrum due to the electronic coupling of π states of the graphite‐like carbon and conduction band states of TiO 2 .