One-dimensional Z-scheme TiO2/WO3 composite nanofibres for enhanced photocatalytic activity of hydrogen production

Abstract

TiO2/WO3 composite nanofibres were fabricated by electrospinning and calcine. The as-prepared composite nanofibes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicated that the TiO2/WO3 composite nanofibres were successfully fabricated, and the H2-generation of the as-fabricated TiO2/WO3 composite nanofibres was significantly enhanced comparing with pure TiO2 nanofibres. The enhanced photocatalytic activities were mainly due to the addition of WO3, which acted as a 'hole collector' leading to effective charge transfer. More importantly, the improvement of photocatalytic activity of TiO2/WO3 composite nanofibres was proved by photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.