We report a methodology for creating protonated layered titanate-rutile heterojunctions on the outer particle surface of protonated layered titanate by treating layered potassium titanate (K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4) with dilute HCl and then drying it at room temperature under reduced pressure. After Pt co-catalyst loading, this protonated layered titanate/rutile composite with heterojunctions showed higher photocatalytic H2 evolution activity from water under simulated solar light compared to that of Pt-loaded P25, the standard photocatalyst for this reaction. The high photocatalytic activity was ascribable to enhanced photocatalytic activity of the protonated layered titanate based on an efficient charge separation at the protonated layered titanate-rutile heterojunction in addition to the sensitization effects of rutile, which absorbs light with longer wavelengths compared to those of protonated layered titanate.
Keywords: enhanced charge separation; heterojunction; hydrogen evolution from water; layered titanate; room temperature rutile formation.