Efficient Photocatalytic Core–Shell Synthesis of Titanate Nanowire/rGO

• Published in: Catalysts 2024-04, Vol.14 (4), p.218
• Main Authors: Ye, Xiaofang, Tian, Yang, Gao, Mengyao, Cheng, Fangjun, Lan, Jinshen, Chen, Han, Lanoue, Mark, Huang, Shengli, Tian, Z. Ryan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Analysis; Carrier mobility; Charge transfer; Chemical synthesis; Composite materials; Core-shell structure; Current carriers; Efficiency; Electric properties; Energy conversion efficiency; Graphene; Mechanical properties; Methods; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanowires; Numerical analysis; Oxides; Photocatalysis; Photoelectric effect; Solar energy; Solar energy conversion; Specific surface; Spectrum analysis; Structure; Surface area; Surface chemistry; Synthesis; Titanates; Wide bandgap semiconductors
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal14040218

Wide bandgap semiconductor-based photocatalysts are usually limited by their low solar energy conversion efficiency due to their limited absorption solar wavelength, their rapid surface recombination of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and their low charge-carrier mobility. Here, we report a novel stepwise solution synthesis for achieving a new photocatalytic core–shell consisting of a titanate nanowire/reduced graphene oxide shell (or titanate/rGO) 1D-nanocomposite. The new core–shell nanocomposite maximized the specific surface area, largely reduced the charge transfer resistance and reaction energy barrier, and significantly improved the absorption of visible light. The core–shell nanocomposites’ large on/off current ratio and rapid photo-responses boosted the photocurrent by 30.0%, the photocatalysis rate by 50.0%, and the specific surface area by 16.4% when compared with the results for the pure titanate nanowire core. Our numerical simulations support the effective charge separation on the new core–shell nanostructure, which can help further advance the novel photocatalysis.