Cu 0 /S-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanofibers as novel and efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Abstract Cu 0 /S-doped TiO 2 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 °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 TiO 2 –CNFs, and TiO 2 NFs, respectively. The good nanofibrous morphology and electron-transfer, and high surface area are the main features of the introduced nanofibers.