Amplifying Photoelectrocatalytic D₂O Splitting with Ag–TiO₂ Janus Particles: Interfacial Effects Unveiled

Abstract

Deuterium (D 2 ), one of the stable isotopes of hydrogen, has immense applications in deuterium labeling, fusion reactors, neutron generation, optical fiber, and the biomedical industry. However, D 2 production employing conventional methods is highly energy intensive and makes it inevitable to explore simple and energy-efficient methods for the production of D 2 . Therefore, the splitting of heavy water or deuterium oxide (D 2 O) to produce deuterium gas (D 2 ) is a good option yet a very challenging process, unlike the splitting of water (H 2 O) into hydrogen gas (H 2 ). In this context, this article demonstrates the 100% photoelectrocatalytic conversion of D 2 O to D 2 instigated by newly synthesized Ag−TiO 2 Janus particles (JPs). In this approach, Ag−TiO 2 JPs were produced via a singlestep emulsion-based technique and utilized as a photocatalyst for electrolytic D 2 production. Furthermore, the electronic band structure at the interface of Ag and TiO 2 , in addition to the mechanism for the splitting of D 2 O to D 2 , has also been demonstrated.