Ni Foam Supported TiO₂ Nanorod Arrays with CdS Branches: Type II and Z‐Scheme Mechanisms Coexisted Monolithic Catalyst Film for Improved Photocatalytic H₂ Production

Abstract

TiO2 has garnered a flourish of interest in the field of energy storage and energy conversion. Herein, a new generation of 3D Ni foam supported in situ grown 1D TiO2 nanoarray (Ni/TiO2) is successfully prepared, through an easy solution‐phase hydrothermal process, and then CdS nanorods branched Ni/TiO2 nanoarrays are fabricated (Ni/TiO2@CdS). Their formation parameters and growth mechanism are carefully studied. Both Ni/TiO2 and Ni/TiO2@CdS monolithic catalysts exhibit advantaged photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) water splitting properties compared with that of most previously reported TiO2‐based film photocatalysts. Mechanism investigation reveals that both type II and Z‐scheme charge transport mechanisms coexist in Ni/TiO2@CdS sample, and an additional Z‐scheme charge transfer effect accelerates the photogenerated charge separation and transport efficiency. This study may open a new avenue for the utilization of TiO2‐based film catalysts in a broader field of energy and environmental catalysis areas.

Bifunctional Ni Foam Supported TiO2@Ni3S2 core@shell Nanorod Arrays for Boosting Electrocatalytic Biomass Upgrading and H2 Production Reactions

“…Among these schemes for preparing formic acid, electrocatalyic glucose oxidation to prepare formic acid has the unique advantages of high selectivity and mild reaction conditions (for example, no high temperature or high-pressure conditions are required). [21][22][23][24][25][26] Therefore, reasonably design efficient bifunctional catalysts for both (hydrogen evolution reaction) HER and upgrading BOR is a promising strategy to kill two birds with one stone.…”

Preparation of TiO2/CdS/Ni(OH)2 Composite Photoanode for Nonsacrificial Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Recently, the energy crisis and environmental pollution have become a hot topic. One of the prominent ways to solve these problems is to convert solar energy into renewable hydrogen. − PEC water splitting is considered to be a promising method for hydrogen production by solar energy, and the preparation of photocatalysts with broad-spectrum light response and high carrier mobility is the key to achieving higher PEC efficient energy conversion. − CdS as an n-type semiconductor, which has narrow band gap width, suitable valence and conduction band positions, high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and good carrier diffusion path, has become the focus of research in the field of PEC hydrogen generation. , However, CdS has a low migration rate of photogenerated carriers and serious photocorrosion. The drawback of CdS can be solved from the aspects of microscopic morphology, crystal structure, and surface structure. , In our group's previous work, we reported a CdS hexagonal pyramid single crystal with coexposed {0001} and {101̅1} crystal planes, which can effectively improve the photocatalytic activity by controlling the crystal face of CdS …”

Defect‐Enriched ZnO/ZnS Heterostructures Derived from Hydrozincite Intermediates for Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light

“…[3][4][5] However, the disadvantages of these materials, such as low solar efficiency and easy recombination of photogenerated carriers, greatly inhibit their application in photocatalysis. [6,7] Therefore, in recent years, several chemical or physical methods have been proposed to construct ZnO/ZnS heterojunction nanomaterials to effectively boost the photogenerated electron-hole transfer in space, reduce recombination, and improve photocatalytic activity. [8] For example, Bao et al [9] prepared ZnO/ZnS heterojunction nanoarrays (HNRAs) by ion exchange method; the best hydrogen evolution rate reached 19.2 mmol h À 1 (0.5 g catalyst) under simulated sunlight.…”