@article{An2026, 
author = {Dan An and Fei Li and Yuanjiang Dong and Yongbin Yao and Xiaohong Ma and Huacheng Jin and Baoqiang Li and Jiahui Guo and Fangli Yuan and Ming-Shui Yao},
title = {Multiphase interface engineering of thermal plasma synthesized TiC/TiO2 heterostructures for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {94908172},
keywords = {oxygen vacancy, heterostructures, thermal plasma, photocatalytic H2 production, multiphase interfaces},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94908172},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94908172},
abstract = {Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising photocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction owing to its chemical stability and low cost. However, pristine TiO2 suffers from insufficient light absorption and rapid charge recombination, severely constraining its efficiency. Although oxygen vacancy (OV) extends light absorption and optimizes thermodynamic/kinetic conditions, they may function as recombination centers that compromise carrier separation. Constructing multiphase interfaces offers an effective way to overcome this constraint. In this work, we synergize OV optimization and multiphase interface engineering in TiC/TiO2 heterostructures to ensure abundant active sites while enhancing charge dynamics. The photocatalyst delivers 1646 μmol·h−1·g−1 H2 under simulated AM1.5G illumination. This performance enhancement arises from three cooperative mechanisms: (i) abundant OV formed during plasma pyrolysis provides reactive sites for proton adsorption; (ii) TiC broadens light absorption regions; and crucially, (iii) multiphase interfaces among rutile (R-TiO2), anatase TiO2 (A-TiO2) and TiC establish directional charge-transfer channels that promote carrier dissociation. This study demonstrates that integrating thermal plasma synthesis with controlled oxidation provides a versatile design strategy for multiphase interface engineering efficient photocatalysts toward photocatalytic hydrogen production.}
}