Enhanced hydrogen production activity over BiO_X–TiO_2 under solar irradiation:Improved charge transfer through bismuth oxide clusters

A series of titania nanoparticles and nanotubes deposited with various quantities of bismuth(Bi) were prepared via sol-gel and hydrothermal methods, respectively. They were then characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy(XRD), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy(XPS), UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectra(DRS), photoluminescence spectra(PLS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays(EDAX), and BET surface analysis. These catalysts were employed for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from a mixture of pure water and glycerol under solar light irradiation. The presence of the Bi~((3+x)+) species was found to play a vital role in enhancing activity while minimizing electron hole recombination(relative to bare TiO_2). The nanotubes exhibited better activity than the nanoparticles of Bi-deposited TiO_2, showing the significance of the morphology; however, photocatalytic activity is predominantly dependent on the deposition of bismuth. The activity increased by approximately an order of magnitude at the optimum concentration of Bi deposited over TiO_2(2 wt%). The presence of the Bi~((3+x)+) species played a vital role in minimizing electron hole recombination, resulting in higher activity compared to bare TiO_2.

Enhanced hydrogen production activity over BiOXTiO2 under solar irradiation: Improved charge transfer through bismuth oxide clusters

A series of titania nanoparticles and nanotubes deposited with various quantities of bismuth (Bi) were prepared via sol-gel and hydrothermal methods, respectively. They were then characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), and BET surface analysis. These catalysts were employed for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from a mixture of pure water and glycerol under solar light irradiation. The presence of the Bi^(3+x)+ species was found to play a vital role in enhancing activity while minimizing electron hole recombination (relative to bare TiO₂). The nanotubes exhibited better activity than the nanoparticles of Bi-deposited TiO₂, showing the significance of the morphology; however, photocatalytic activity is predominantly dependent on the deposition of bismuth. The activity increased by approximately an order of magnitude at the optimum concentration of Bi deposited over TiO₂ (2 wt%). The presence of the Bi^(3+x)+ species played a vital role in minimizing electron hole recombination, resulting in higher activity compared to bare TiO₂.