"Black" TiO2 Nanotubes Formed by High-Energy Proton Implantation Show Noble-Metal-co-Catalyst Free Photocatalytic H2-Evolution.
We 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.
Department of Materials Science WW-4, LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Ning
N
Liu
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB , Schttkystrasse 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Volker
V
Häublein
Department of Materials Science WW-4, LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Xuemei
X
Zhou
ECRC - Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Umamaheswari
U
Venkatesan
ECRC - Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Martin
M
Hartmann
Institute of Micro- and Nanostructure Research (WW9) & Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Cauerstrasse 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Mirza
M
Mačković
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology , Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
Tomohiko
T
Nakajima
Institute of Micro- and Nanostructure Research (WW9) & Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Cauerstrasse 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Erdmann
E
Spiecker
Department of Materials Sciences 6, iMEET, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Andres
A
Osvet
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB , Schttkystrasse 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Lothar
L
Frey
Department of Materials Science WW-4, LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Patrik
P
Schmuki
Nanotubes; ion-implantation; photocatalysts; self-organization; titania; water-splitting