Facile synthesis of hierarchically meso/nanoporous s- and c-codoped TiO2 and its high photocatalytic efficiency in H2 generation

Here, hierarchically meso/nanoporous TiO2 was successfully fabricated by a facile and efficient hydrolysis and calcination method using Ti(OC4H9)4 and K2S2O8 as precursors. The hydrosol was firstly prepared by drop-wise adding ethanol dissolved Ti(OC4H9)4 solution into acetone dissolved K2S2O8 solution under a vigorous stirring and heating condition. After being sufficiently hydrolyzed, the hydrosol was calcined to promote the crystallization of TiO2 and successfully dope S and C on TiO2. The calcination temperature significantly affects the doping of S and C on TiO2, crystallization of TiO2, formation of hierarchically meso/nanoporous structure of TiO2 and its light absorption capability. The S- and C-codoped TiO2 exhibits high photocatalytic H2 generation efficiency in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system under the irradiation of UV light. The high photocatalytic efficiency is dependent on the comprehensively competing effects of the codoping of S and C, crystallization, specific surface area and light absorption capability. The S- and C-codoped TiO2 calcined at 600 °C demonstrates the highest photocatalytic H2 generation efficiency, which is ascribed to the balanced synergy of the abovementioned factors.

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► Hierarchically meso/nanoporous TiO2 was codoped with S and C via a facile method.
► Hierarchically meso/nanoporous TiO2 exhibited high photocatalytic H2 generation activity because of many merits.
► Hierarchical meso/nanoporous structure facilitating fast mass transport.
► Co-doping of S and C, and well crystallized TiO2 after calcination.
► Large specific surface and enhanced light absorption capability.