A quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator is a novel twodimensional quantum state of matter that features quantized Hall conductance in the absence of a magnetic field, resulting from topologically protected dissipationless edge states that bridge the energy gap opened by band inversion and strong spin-orbit coupling 1,2 . By investigating the electronic structure of epitaxially grown monolayer 1T'-WTe 2 using angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) and first-principles calculations, we observe clear signatures of topological band inversion and bandgap opening, which are the hallmarks of a QSH state. Scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements further confirm the correct crystal structure and the existence of a bulk bandgap, and provide evidence for a modified electronic structure near the edge that is consistent with the expectations for a QSH insulator. Our results establish monolayer 1T'-WTe 2 as a new class of QSH insulator with large bandgap in a robust two-dimensional materials family of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs).A two-dimensional (2D) topological insulator (TI), or a quantum spin Hall insulator, is characterized by an insulating bulk and a conductive helical edge state, in which carriers with different spins counter-propagate to realize a geometry-independent edge conductance 2e 2 /h (refs 1,2). The only scattering channel for such helical edge current is back scattering, which is prohibited by time reversal symmetry, making QSH insulators a promising material candidate for spintronic and other applications.The prediction of the QSH effect in HgTe quantum wells sparked intense research efforts to realize the QSH state [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . So far only a handful of QSH systems have been fabricated, mostly limited to quantum well structures of three-dimensional (3D) semiconductors such as HgTe/CdTe (ref.3) and InAs/GaSb (ref. 6). Edge conduction consistent with a QSH state has been observed 3,6,12 . However, the behaviour under a magnetic field, where time reversal symmetry is broken, cannot be explained within our current understanding of the QSH effect 13,14 . There have been continued efforts to predict and investigate other material systems to further advance the understanding of this novel quantum phenomenon 5,[7][8][9]15 . So far, it has been difficult to make a robust 2D material with a QSH state, a platform needed for widespread study and application. The small bandgaps exhibited by many candidate systems, as well as their vulnerability to strain, chemical adsorption, and element substitution, make them impractical for advanced spectroscopic studies or applications. For example, a QSH insulator candidate stanene, a monolayer analogue of graphene for tin, grown on Bi 2 Se 3 becomes topologically trivial due to the modification of its band structure by the underlying substrate 11,16 . Free-standing Bi film with 2D bonding on a cleaved surface has shown edge conduction 9 , but its topological nature is still debated 17 . It takes 3D out-of-plane bonding with the substrate and large stra...

Black TiO2 attracts enormous attention due to its large solar absorption and induced excellent photocatalytic activity. Herein, a new approach assisted by hydrogen plasma to synthesize unique H‐doped black titania with a core/shell structure (TiO2@TiO2‐xHx) is presented, superior to the high H2‐pressure process (under 20 bar for five days). The black titania possesses the largest solar absorption (≈83%), far more than any other reported black titania (the record (high‐pressure): ≈30%). H doping is favorable to eliminate the recombination centers of light‐induced electrons and holes. High absorption and low recombination ensure the excellent photocatalytic activity for the black titania in the photo‐oxidation of organic molecules in water and the production of hydrogen. The H‐doped amorphous shell is proposed to play the same role as Ag or Pt loading on TiO2 nanocrystals, which induces the localized surface plasma resonance and black coloration. Photocatalytic water splitting and cleaning using TiO2‐xHx is believed to have a bright future for sustainable energy sources and cleaning environment.