Molecularly tunable heterostructure S-scheme photocatalyst for hydrogen production through effective pH control of trititanate nanotube/dopamine interaction

An S-scheme photocatalyst combining trititanate nanotubes and dopamine was prepared under different pH conditions resulting in tailored energy level modification and a molecularly tunable heterostructure. We have found that the initial pH of the reaction has a profound effect on the product and activity for water splitting, and have investigated the structure of the surface coating prepared by the different reactions occurring under these conditions by powder X-Ray diffraction, solid state NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The best sample for hydrogen production was prepared under pH 12 conditions and had a hydrogen production rate of 590 µmolg-1h−1. This simple organic modification can effectively create an s-scheme heterojunction and is a widely applicable and facile method of doing so.