Aerodynamic levitated laser annealing method to defective titanium dioxide with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Defective TiO₂ has attracted increasing attention for use in photocatalytic and electrochemical materials because of its narrowed band-gap and improved visible-light photocatalytic activity. However, a facile and efficient approach for obtaining defect-rich TiO₂ still remains a challenge. Herein, we demonstrate such an approach to narrow its bandgap and improve visible-light absorption through implanting abundant defects by aerodynamic levitated laser annealing (ALLA) treatment. Note that the ALLA method not only provides rapid annealing, solidifying and cooling process, but also exhibits high efficiency for homogeneous and defective TiO₂ nanoparticles. The laser-annealed TiO₂ achieves a high hydrogen evolution rate of 8.54 mmol·h^–1·g^–1, excellent decomposition properties within 60 min, and outstanding recyclability and stability, all of which are superior to the corresponding properties of commercial P25.