TiO2 nanotubes: N-ion implantation at low-dose provides noble-metal-free photocatalytic H2-evolution activity

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that low-dose nitrogen ion implantation on TiO2 nanotubes creates a co-catalytic surface that significantly enhances photocatalytic hydrogen evolution without noble metals, through improved carrier separation.

Contribution

It introduces a low-dose N-ion implantation method to activate TiO2 nanotubes for efficient, noble-metal-free photocatalytic H2 production.

Findings

Enhanced H2 evolution due to N-implantation

N-implanted zone at the nanotube surface improves activity

Carrier separation is significantly improved

Abstract

Low-dose nitrogen implantation induces in TiO2 nanotubes a co-catalytic activity for photocatalytic H2-evolution. The use of an ion implantation process leads to a N-implanted zone only at the top part of the tubes. The coupling of this top layer and the underlying non-implanted part of the nanotubes strongly contributes to an efficient carrier separation and thus to a significantly enhanced H2 generation.