A novel strategy for loading metal cocatalysts onto hollow nano-TiO_(2)inner surface with highly enhanced H_(2)production activity

The loading strategy of cocatalysts affects its activity exerting and atom utilization.Here,a novel strategy for loading precious metal(Pt)cocatalysts by means of ultrathin N-doped carbon layer is reported.The strategy is based on a pyrolysis process of predesigned N-containing polymers and Pt complexes on hard-template surface,during which Pt can be reduced by carbon from pyrolysis at high temperatures.Finally,the hollow TiO_(2)composite with stable and dispersed Pt on its inner surface was prepared.It shows an ultrahigh photocatalytic H_(2)production activity as high as 25.7 mmol h^(-1)g^(-1)with methanol as sacrificial regent,and displays an apparent quantum yield as 13.2%.The improved photocatalytic activity and stability can be attributed to the highly dispersed and ultrafine Pt nanoparticles,enhanced interaction between Pt-species and carbon support,fast photo-excited electron transport from the high graphitization degree of NC layers,ample oxygen vacancies/defects,as well as the manipulated local charge distribution of Pt/NC-layer configuration.Additionally,the universality of the proposed strategy was demonstrated by replacing metal sources(such as,Ru and Pd).This work presented a promising strategy for the design and development of novel photocatalysts,which shows a broad application prospect.