A new approach to inducing Ti3+ in anatase TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

Ti 3+ species and oxygen vacancies were successfully introduced into anatase TiO 2 by a simple method. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared samples were explored by techniques including X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy . The amount of H 2 O 2 precursor and hydrothermal reaction time were found to affect the formation of the TiO2 nanorod-type microstructure. Possible mechanisms for the formation of this microstructure are proposed on the basis of analytical results, including electron paramagnetic resonance , where parameters such as the amount of H 2 O 2 and hydrothermal reaction time were adjusted. More importantly, light absorption in the visible light region was strongly affected by the number of oxygen vacancies within the samples. The oxygen vacancy content featured an optimal level for producing the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity.