LED light-induced enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution on Au@TiO2 core–shell modified by nitrogen doping and reduced graphene oxide

Abstract

This study focused on the large band gap of TiO2 for its use as a photocatalyst under light emitting diode (LED) light irradiation. The photocatalytic activities of core–shell structured Au@TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), nitrogen doped Au@TiO2 NPs, and Au@TiO2/rGO nanocomposites (NCs) were investigated under various light intensities and sacrificial reagents. All the materials showed better photocatalytic activity under white LED light irradiation than under blue LED light. The N-doped core–shell structured Au@TiO2 NPs (Au@N–TiO2) and Au@TiO2/rGO NCs showed enhanced photocatalytic activity with an average H2 evolution rate of 9205 μmol h−1g−1 and 9815 μmol h−1g−1, respectively. All these materials showed an increasing rate of hydrogen evolution with increasing light intensity and catalyst loading. In addition, methanol was more suitable as a sacrificial reagent than lactic acid. The rate of hydrogen evolution increased with increasing methanol concentration up to 25% in DI water and decreased at higher concentrations. Overall, Au@TiO2 core–shell-based nanocomposites can be used as an improved photocatalyst in photocatalytic hydrogen production.