The
preparation temperature of lepidocrocite-type layered potassium
lithium titanate with the formula K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 was optimized for photocatalytic H2 production. K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 was prepared by solid-state reactions at varied temperatures
(600–1000 °C) and subsequently treated with dilute HCl
to obtain its protonated form. Depending on the preparation temperature,
the particle size and crystallinity of K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 varied, and the photocatalytic activity
of the protonated forms of K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 for H2 production from aqueous
methanol solution was correlated with the preparation temperature.
K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 nanoparticles
prepared at 700 °C with a particle size estimated to be within
the range of ca. 100–300 nm gave the largest amount of H2, equivalent up to 42 times higher than that given by K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4 prepared
at commonly reported temperatures (≥800 °C). This finding
reinforces the importance of preparation temperature to full utilization
of the capabilities of nanomaterials derived from ceramic processes.
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