Surface Modification of Hollow Structure TiO2 Nanospheres for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Engineering the surface structure of semiconductor is one of the most promising strategies for improving the separation and transfer efficiency of charge, which is a key issue in photocatalysis. Here, we designed and fabricated the C decorated hollow TiO2 photocatalysts (C–TiO2), in which 3-aminophenol-formaldehyde resin (APF) spheres were used as template and carbon precursor. It was determined that the C content can be easily controlled by calcinating the APF spheres with different time. Moreover, the synergetic effort between the optimal C content and the formed Ti–O–C bonds in C–TiO2 were determined to increase the light absorption and greatly promote the separation and transfer of charge in the photocatalytic reaction, which is verified from UV–vis, PL, photocurrent, and EIS characterizations. Remarkably, the activity of the C–TiO2 is 5.5-fold higher than that of TiO2 in H2 evolution. A feasible strategy for rational design and construction of surface-engineered hollow photocatalysts to improve the photocatalytic performance was provided in this study.