Self-Doped Ti³⁺ Enhanced Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production under Visible Light

Abstract

Through a facile one-step combustion method, partially reduced TiO(2) has been synthesized. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra confirm the presence of Ti(3+) in the bulk of an as-prepared sample. The UV-vis spectra show that the Ti(3+) here extends the photoresponse of TiO(2) from the UV to the visible light region, which leads to high visible-light photocatalytic activity for the generation of hydrogen gas from water. It is worth noting that the Ti(3+) sites in the sample are highly stable in air or water under irradiation and the photocatalyst can be repeatedly used without degradation in the activity.