Enhanced photocatalytic activity in water splitting for hydrogen generation by using TiO2 coated carbon fiber with high reusability

Recycling Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) to Construct CFs/TiO2 Nanotexture with Efficient Interface Charge Transfer for Stimulating Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

“…Previously, XRD analysis of TiO 2 /CF was conducted after 10 cycles, which kept the same structure as the original materials. Additionally, the photocatalyst TiO 2 contents remained the same from the first to the tenth cycling trials, indicating that the CF/TiO 2 material was sufficiently stable to produce H 2 …”

“…Due to the good interface interaction between CFs and TiO 2 -S, efficient charge transfer would be possible, which enables 6-fold increments in H 2 yield compared to using CFs/TiO 2 -A composite. Recently, CF/TiO 2 was tested for photocatalytic water splitting and reported enhanced photoactivity of TiO 2 with CF loading due to increased BET surface area, higher visible light absorption, and efficient charge carrier separation . Previously, obviously enhanced photoactivity of TiO 2 NPs compared to TiO 2 MPs was reported during photocatalytic CO 2 reduction to CO and CH 4 .…”

“…Recently, CF/ TiO 2 was tested for photocatalytic water splitting and reported enhanced photoactivity of TiO 2 with CF loading due to increased BET surface area, higher visible light absorption, and efficient charge carrier separation. 31 Previously, obviously enhanced photoactivity of TiO 2 NPs compared to TiO 2 MPs was reported during photocatalytic CO 2 reduction to CO and CH 4 . 42 In the current work, enhanced photocatalytic H 2 production was obviously due to higher light absorption and proficient charge carrier separation.…”

“…However, in their work the BET surface area of CFs/TiO 2 was significantly higher than using pure TiO 2 . 31 The recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes can be further prevented by using sacrificial reagents, which use holes. The VB holes will oxidize alcohol (Alcohol + h + → H + + oxidation products), resulting in effective utilization of holes and preventing charge recombination.…”

“…Recently, g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 /CFs was investigated for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and reported to have enhanced photoactivity and stability in multiple cycles . In another development, commercial carbon fibers coated with TiO 2 were used for photocatalytic water splitting and enhanced hydrogen production due to the narrowed band gap energy and efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs . However, there is no report available on the use of CFRP waste to construct CFs/TiO 2 composites with different nanotextures for stimulating photocatalytic hydrogen production.…”