Self-assembly and activation of a titania-nanotube based photocatalyst for H 2 evolution

Constructing an efficient photocatalyst for H 2 production generally requires the integration of several functional features in and on a semiconductor platform. This is conventionally done by a classic step-by-step synthesis. Here, we report the self-assembly of an amorphous titania nanotube based system when illuminated for extended time in suitable aqueous solutions. Over time, not only photodeposition of a co-catalyst can take place, but also in situ crystallization and morphology changes occur that can provide a higher H 2 production than observed for a classically assembled photocatalyst.