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“Black” TiO2 Nanotubes Formed by High-Energy Proton Implantation Show Noble-Metal-co-Catalyst Free Photocatalytic H2‑Evolution
journal contribution
posted on 2015-10-14, 00:00 authored by Ning Liu, Volker Häublein, Xuemei Zhou, Umamaheswari Venkatesan, Martin Hartmann, Mirza Mačković, Tomohiko Nakajima, Erdmann Spiecker, Andres Osvet, Lothar Frey, Patrik SchmukiWe apply high-energy proton ion-implantation
to modify TiO2 nanotubes selectively at their tops. In
the proton-implanted region, we observe the creation of intrinsic
cocatalytic centers for photocatalytic H2-evolution. We
find proton implantation to induce specific defects and a characteristic
modification of the electronic properties not only in nanotubes but
also on anatase single crystal (001) surfaces. Nevertheless, for TiO2 nanotubes a strong synergetic effect between implanted region
(catalyst) and implant-free tube segment (absorber) can be obtained.