1 research outputs found
Titanium Doping and Its Effect on the Morphology of Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Nb<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>(OH) Nanostructures for Enhanced Light-Induced Water Splitting
This
study presents a simple method that allows us to modify the
composition, morphological, and surface properties of three-dimensional
hierarchical Nb<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>(OH) superstructures, resulting
in strongly enhanced photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> production. The
superstructures consist of highly ordered nanowire networks and self-assemble
under hydrothermal conditions. The presence of titanium affects the
morphology of the superstructures, resulting in increased surface
areas for higher doping levels. Up to 12 at. % titanium is incorporated
into the Nb<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>(OH) crystal lattice via substitution
of niobium at its octahedral lattice sites. Further titanium excess
results in the formation of niobium-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> plates,
which overgrow the surface of the Nb<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>(OH)
superstructures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy indicates fewer charge
recombination processes near the surface of the nanostructures with
an increasing titanium concentration in the crystal lattice. The combination
of larger surface areas with fewer quenching sites at the crystal
surface yields higher H<sub>2</sub> evolution rates for the doped
samples, with the rate being doubled by incorporation of 5.5 ±
0.7 at. % Ti