TiO2 nanosheets loaded with Cu: A low-cost efficient photocatalytic system for hydrogen evolution from water

Rutile TiO2 nanosheets were prepared by a simple solvothermal process, and Cu was loaded on the surface of TiO2 nanosheets using the in situ photo-deposition method. Meanwhile, photocatalytic H-2 evolution from water over the as-prepared TiO2 nanosheets loaded with Cu was explored using methanol as a sacrificial reagent. The results indicate that the TiO2 nanosheets loaded with Cu is an efficient photocatalyst under UV irradiation. During the first 5 h, a rate of H-2 evolution of approximately 22.1 mmol g(-1).h(-1) was achieved under optimal conditions. Furthermore, for practical purposes, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was studied as a function of content of Cu, pH of solution, concentration of methanol and dosage of photocatalyst, respectively. At last, the photocatalytic mechanism was preliminarily discussed. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.