Photocatalytic hydrogen production using TiO2 nanogranules prepared by hydrothermal route

In this investigation TiO2, nanogranules were synthesized by simple, cost effective hydrothermal route. The stepwise study of various structural, morphological and compositional properties of TiO2 photocatalyst is done. XRD study reveals that the TiO2 thin films are polycrystalline in nature with the tetragonal crystal structure. SEM images show that the substrate surface is covered with a uniform, nanogranule like morphology. Optical band gap lies in the ultraviolet region. Hydrothermally prepared TiO2 nanogranules show a good photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate for TiO2 nanogranules found to be 79.1 µmol g−1 h−1 after each 9 h cycle.