Photocatalytic hydrogen production from seawater by TiO₂/RuO₂ hybrid nanofiber with enhanced light absorption

Compared to hydrogen production through pure water photocatalysis, the direct utilization of seawater for hydrogen production aligns better with the principles of sustainable development. Seawater, however, contains impurity ions like Na+ and Cl-, which pose higher demands on photocatalysts. It is widely acknowledged that RuO2 and TiO2 demonstrate excellent stability in seawater. Consequently, this study focuses on the model system of RuO2-modified TiO2 for investigating hydrogen production in simulated seawater. TiO2/RuO2 nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized via a one-step electrospinning method, ensuring intimate contact between the two components. The hydrogen production activity of TiO2/RuO2 NFs in simulated seawater nearly matches that in pure water. Remarkably, RuO2 serves as an oxidation cocatalyst, effectively scavenging holes from the valence band of TiO2 and enhancing the separation efficiency of electrons and holes. Interestingly, Cl- ions, similar to RuO2, contribute to reducing excess holes. This study lays the groundwork for future research into hydrogen production from seawater.