Highly efficient CuO incorporated TiO sub(2) nanotube photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water

Highly dispersed CuO was introduced into TiO sub(2) nanotube (TNT) made by hydrothermal method via adsorption-calcination process or wet impregnation process, to fabricate CuO incorporated TNT photocatalysts (CuO-TNT) for hydrogen production. It was found that CuO-TNT possessed excellent hydrogen generation activity, which was constantly vigorous throughout 5 h reaction. Depending on the preparation method, hydrogen evolution rates over CuO-TNT were founded in the range of 64.2-71.6 mmol h super(-1) g super(-1) sub(catalyst), which was much higher than the benchmark P25 based photocatalysts, and even superior to some Pt/Ni incorporated TNT. This high photocatalytic activity of CuO-TNT was mainly attributed to the unique 1-D tubular structure, large BET surface area and high dispersion of copper component. Compared to wet impregnation, adsorption-calcination process was superior to produce active photocatalyst, since it was prone to produce photocatalyst with more highly dispersed CuO.