Transforming Red Phosphorus Photocatalysis: Dual Roles of Pre-Anchored Ru Single Atoms in Defect and Interface Engineering.

Crystalline red phosphorus (CRP), known for its promising photocatalytic properties, faces challenges in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) due to undesired inherent charge deep trapping and recombination effects induced by defects. This study overcomes these limitations through an innovative strategy in integrating ruthenium single atoms (Ru) within CRP to simultaneously repair the intrinsic undesired vacancy defects and serve as the uniformly distributed anchoring sites for a controllable growth into ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru). Hence, a highly functionalized CRP with Ru and Ru (Ru/CRP) with concerted effects in regulating electronic structures and promoting interfacial charge transfer has been achieved.

High Specific Surface Area TiO₂ Nanospheres for Hydrogen Production and Photocatalytic Activity.

TiO₂ nanospheres with high specific surface area and good crystallinity were prepared by a hydrothermal method using urea as the capping agent and isopropanol as the solvent. The capping agent effectively controlled the morphology of TiO₂ nanospheres and led to improved crystallinity. Using a solvent with a long carbon chain, such as isopropanol, also promoted the formation of TiO₂ nanospheres.