摘要
Exploiting a synthesis protocol to tailor TiO_(2)with a unique morphology and crystal phase has received considerable interest in the energy and environmental fields.We here describe the use of a titanium glycolate precursor in a hydrothermal hydrolysis reaction to engineer TiO_(2)nanocrystals with different crystal phases and structures.Anatase TiO_(2)nanocrystals with twinned structures were obtained by using a lower amount of NaOH in the hydrolysis system,while brookite TiO_(2)nanocrystals were formed when higher amounts of NaOH were employed.The as-synthesized different TiO_(2)nanocrystals have a suitable bandgap to harvest photons and a more negative bottom level of the conduction band than the redox potential of H^(+)/H_(2)indicating their potential as hydrogen-evolution semiconductor photocatalysts.However,the TiO_(2)nanotwins show promoted charge separation efficiency,and thus result in superior photocatalytic H_(2)generation activity compared to the anatase and brookite TiO_(2)nanocrystals.Our findings provide an effective and versatile solution for the fabrication of TiO_(2)-based nanostructures with different phases and morphologies through chemical conversion of powder precursor nanoparticles,which could pave the way to the design of other functional nano-oxides with unique structures.
基金
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21501137)
Department of Education of Hubei Province under the project of Science and Technology Innovation Team of Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Scientists(T201606).
