Ultra-stable, 1D TiO₂ Lepidocrocite for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production in Water-Methanol Mixtures

Water and sunlight are the cleanest, renewable, and most abundant resources on Earth. Developing inexpensive, scalable photocatalysts that are long-stable, for hydrogen, H₂, production has long been a cherished dream of humanity. Herein we report on one dimensional lepidocrocite-based nanofilaments, NFs, ≈ 5×5 Ų in cross-section - that generate H₂ from 80:20 vol.% water/methanol mixtures, when exposed to Xe-lamp radiation that simulates the solar spectrum. The NFs were stable in the mixtures for times > 4,300 h, 300 h of which were under irradiation, whilst being stirred. Apparent quantum yields as high as 12.6% were obtained. Based on deuterated water results we conclude that water is the H₂ source. No carbon dioxide nor oxygen is produced. Since our NFs do not produce CO₂, their green credentials, and their economic prospects for large scale-up suggest new lines for developing cheap and ultra-stable materials able to produce H₂ photochemically for long times.