Amplifying Photoelectrocatalytic D2O Splitting with Ag–TiO2 Janus Particles: Interfacial Effects Unveiled

• Published in: Journal of physical chemistry. C 2024-05, Vol.128 (19), p.8058-8067
• Main Authors: Pathak, Sushil Swaroop, Dey, Sanchaita, Kumar, Anuj, Gamre, Sunita, Gadly, Trilochan, Kedarnath, Gotluru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C: Physical Properties of Materials and Interfaces
• ISSN: 1932-7447; 1932-7455
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c00566

Deuterium (D2), one of the stable isotopes of hydrogen, has immense applications in deuterium labeling, fusion reactors, neutron generation, optical fiber, and the biomedical industry. However, D2 production employing conventional methods is highly energy intensive and makes it inevitable to explore simple and energy-efficient methods for the production of D2. Therefore, the splitting of heavy water or deuterium oxide (D2O) to produce deuterium gas (D2) is a good option yet a very challenging process, unlike the splitting of water (H2O) into hydrogen gas (H2). In this context, this article demonstrates the 100% photoelectrocatalytic conversion of D2O to D2 instigated by newly synthesized Ag–TiO2 Janus particles (JPs). In this approach, Ag–TiO2 JPs were produced via a single-step emulsion-based technique and utilized as a photocatalyst for electrolytic D2 production. Furthermore, the electronic band structure at the interface of Ag and TiO2, in addition to the mechanism for the splitting of D2O to D2, has also been demonstrated.