Superior efficiency of BN/Ce2O3/TiO2 nanofibers for photocatalytic hydrogen generation reactions

One-dimensional BN/Ce2O3/TiO2 heteroarchitectures with high visible-light photocatalytic activity have been successfully obtained by an electrospinning technique. The properties of the prepared nanofibers were controlled using different ratios cerium. results XPS characterization revealed that Ce element is present in valence state + III on surface TiO2 nanofibers. Rietveld refinement XRD data reveals introducing small concentrations Ce3+ (<3.0 at%) into solution leads to formation amounts rutile and brookite phases, a decrease crystallite size main anatase phase slight c parameter unit cell volume phase. In contrast, only phase, which has similar lattice parameters formed undoped sample, observed when 3 at.% used. These suggest ions did not substitute Ti4+ both can be explained large difference ionic radius ((r (Ti4+) = 60.5 pm, r (Ce3+) 101.7 pm). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates diameter decreases from 240 nm for pristine 101 nm, 70 40 2% Ce/TiO2 (CET2), BN/TiO2 (BT) BN/2% (BCET2), respectively. d-spacing decreased 0.3 after incorporation as demonstrated high-resolution transmission microscopy. proved presence BN nanosheets along Ce2O3 Compared pure (NF), Ce/Ti ratio (molar ratio) showed enhancement water splitting, 46 times higher than bare NF. might improve separation photogenerated electrons holes derived coupling effect cerium oxide. This work also examines modification (anatase) hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) impact this activity. transfer rate was improved exfoliation. indicated hydrogen production up 5100 ?mol/g 6 h under visible light, could due sheets enhanced photo-induced electron–hole pairs increased specific area compared Ce2O3/TiO2 Moreover, easily recycled without because its one-dimensional nanostructure nature. focuses ternary composite optimization electronic phonon transport state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT). calculated states (DOS) modulus shows excellent agreement available theoretical experimental production.