Highly efficient TiO 2 nanotube photocatalyst for simultaneous hydrogen production and copper removal from water

Abstract

1-D mesoporous TiO 2 nanotube (TNT) with large BET surface area was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal-calcination process, and employed for simultaneous photocatalytic H 2 production and Cu 2+ removal from water. Cu 2+, across a wide concentration range of 8–800 ppm, was removed rapidly from water under irradiation. The removed Cu 2+ then combined with TNT to produce efficient Cu incorporated TNT (Cu-TNT) photocatalyst for H 2 production. Average H 2 generation rate recorded across a 4 h reaction was between 15.7 and 40.2 mmol h −1 g −1 catalyst, depending on initial Cu 2+/Ti ratio in solution, which was optimized at 10 atom%. In addition, reduction process of Cu 2+ was also a critical factor in governing H 2 evolution. In comparison with P25, its large surface area and 1-D tubular structure endowed TNT with higher photocatalytic activity in both Cu 2+ removal and H 2 production.