Laser Ablation Nanoarchitectonics of Au–Cu Alloys Deposited on TiO2 Photocatalyst Films for Switchable Hydrogen Evolution from Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

The regulation of H2 evolution from formic acid dehydrogenation using recyclable photocatalyst films is an essential approach for on-demand H2 production. We have successfully generated Au–Cu nanoalloys using a laser ablation method and deposited them on TiO2 photocatalyst films (AuxCu100–x/TiO2). The Au–Cu/TiO2 films were employed as photocatalysts for H2 production from formic acid dehydrogenation under light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation (365 nm). The highest H2 evolution rate for Au20Cu80/TiO2 is archived to 62,500 μmol h–1 g–1 per photocatalyst weight. The remarkable performance of Au20Cu80/TiO2 may account for the formation of Au-rich surfaces and the effect of Au alloying that enables Cu to sustain the metallic form on its surface. The metallic Au–Cu surface on TiO2 is vital to supply the photoexcited electrons of TiO2 to its surface for H2 evolution. The rate-determining step (RDS) is identified as the reaction of a surface-active species with protons. The results establish a practical preparation of metal alloy deposited on photocatalyst films using laser ablation to develop efficient photocatalysts.