Dye-sensitized Pt@TiO₂ core–shell nanostructures for the efficient photocatalytic generation of hydrogen

Abstract

Pt@TiO₂ core–shell nanostructures were prepared through a hydrothermal method. The dye-sensitization of these Pt@TiO₂ core–shell structures allows for a high photocatalytic activity for the generation of hydrogen from proton reduction under visible-light irradiation. When the dyes and TiO₂ were co-excited through the combination of two irradiation beams with different wavelengths, a synergic effect was observed, which led to a greatly enhanced H₂ generation yield. This is attributed to the rational spatial distribution of the three components (dye, TiO₂, Pt), and the vectored transport of photogenerated electrons from the dye to the Pt particles via the TiO₂ particle bridge.