Co3O4quantum dots/TiO2nanobelt hybrids for highly efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Solar-light driven water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen without sacrificial agents has gained tremendous attention due to the clean and renewable energy supply of the future. Herein, we report construction of Co3O4quantum dots (QDs)/TiO2nanobelts (NBs) hybrids via a facile hydrothermal method for simultaneous H2and O2productions from pure water, with high evolution rates of 41.8 and 22.0 µmol h-1g-1, respectively, which are significantly enhanced compared with TiO2NBs and Co3O4materials. The Co3O4QDs not only improve light sensitivity but also change the work function of TiO2, promoting the transfer of electrons from TiO2to Co3O4QDs and H2generation on the surface of Co3O4QDs. Moreover, the size effect of Co3O4QDs (~3 nm) facilitates the electron trapping due to the shorter pathway, and the generation of heterojunctions favors to suppress the recombination of photo-excited carries.