Ning Liu, Anca Mazare, Patrik Schmuki

Department of Materials Science WW-4, LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

In the past decade, anodically formed self-organized TiO₂ nanotube layers attracted considerable scientific interest (see e.g. reviews [1,2]). This is mainly due to the fact that these layers combine the defined nanotubular geometry with a broad range of functional features inherent to TiO₂. Particularly in photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic applications nanotubular layers have shown remarkable results. The presentation will first give an overview of the most promising features of classic nanotube layers for photocatalysis and then focus on TiO2 nanotube (NT) arrays, converted by a high pressure H₂ treatment to anatase-like "black titania"[3,4]. This modification shows a remarkable high open-circuit photocatalytic hydrogen production rate without the presence of any cocatalyst. We will discuss the main effects caused by the high H₂pressure annealing and the origin of this outstanding activity of black titania.

REFERENCES

1. P. Roy, S. Berger, P. Schmuki, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2011), 2904
2. K. Lee, A. Mazare, P. Schmuki, CHEMICAL REVIEWS, 114 (2014) 9385
3. N. Liu, P. Schmuki et.al. Nano Letters, 14 (2014) 3309
4. N. Liu, P. Schmuki et.al. 53 (2014) 14201