Modulating Ti t2g Orbital Bonding in Dual‐Channeled TiO2/rGO Hybrid Architecture for Stable Photocatalytic Methanol to Hydrogen

Abstract Carbon materials are commonly integrated with TiO 2 to achieve high carrier mobility and excellent photocatalytic performance, and the chemical bond between TiO 2 − C is considered as a significant strategy to enhance efficiency. Nevertheless, few analyses have elucidated the formation mechanism of Ti 3 + − C bonds and the underlying reasons for the performance enhancement. To address these issues, this study conducts an in‐depth investigation into the electronic structure of TiO 2 − C and demonstrates that the charge in the nonbonding molecular orbital t 2 g of Ti 3 + is transferred to the unoccupied 2 p energy level of C through the formation of 1π and 2π bonds, i. e. , (Ti 3 d xz ‐ C 2 p y) and (Ti 3 d xy ‐ C 2 p x). The hybridization of t 2 g ‐2 p orbitals endows the Ti 3 + − C bond with higher carrier mobility and a stronger binding force, thereby contributing to stable photocatalytic H 2 production. Inspired by this scenario, the NSTiO 2 /rGO hybrid architecture, featuring the 101/001 surface heterojunction and the Ti 3 + − C interfacial chemical bond, has been constructed. As a result, the hybrid catalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic cycling stability of and an H 2 evolution rate of 33. 4 mmolh −1 g −1. This work proposes a strategy for designing efficient photocatalyst by regulating orbitals to achieve high‐performance photocatalytic methanol splitting.