Cu0/S-doped TiO2 nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanofibers as novel and efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Cu-0/S-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs)-decorated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were introduced as a novel photocatalyst for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane under visible light. Nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of a solution composed of titanium isopropoxide, polyvinylpyrroliodine, copper acetate tetrahydrate, and ammonium sulfide. Calcination of the formed nanofiber mats in Ar at 800 degrees C led to thermal decomposition of CuS to Cu-0 and S. Finally, the obtained nanofibers revealed a better photocatalytic activity over that of the other used photocatalysts. The hydrogen evolution was approximately 60 mL, 35 mL, and 20 mL in 40 min using nanocatalyst and TiO2-CNFs, and TiO2 NFs, respectively. The good nanofibrous morphology and electron-transfer, and high surface area are the main features of the introduced nanofibers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.