Scrambling oxygen: A five-step process illustrates the interaction of an oxygen adatom and water on the surface of titanium dioxide

摘要

Titanium dioxide is a pigment that is commonly used in sunscreens to help protect against UV radiation when our skin is exposed to the sun. This compound is very useful in sunscreens because it resists discoloration when exposed to UV light. Titanium dioxide also is being evaluated as a photosensitizer that can catalytically split water into oxygen and hydrogen. This property means that titanium dioxide has potential for use in fuel cells.