Single atom Cu(I) promoted mesoporous titanias for photocatalytic Methyl Orange depollution and H^sub 2^ production

Tailoring the physicochemical properties and hence reactivity of semiconductor photocatalysts in a predictable fashion, remains a challenge to their industrial application. Here we demonstrate the striking promotional effect of incorporating single Cu(I) atoms, on aqueous phase photocatalytic dye de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2018-09, Vol.232, p.501
Main Authors: Trofimovaite, Rima, Parlett, Christopher MA, Kumar, Santosh, Frattini, Lucia, Isaacs, Mark A, Wilson, Karen, Olivi, Luca, Coulson, Ben, Debgupta, Joyashish, Douthwaite, Richard E, Leed, Adam F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectroscopy
Anatase
Atoms & subatomic particles
Carrier lifetime
Catalytic activity
Copper
Current carriers
Dyes
Hydrogen production
Industrial applications
Low concentrations
Nanocrystals
Phase transitions
Photocatalysis
Photodegradation
Physicochemical properties
Recombination
Semiconductors
Titanium dioxide
X-ray absorption spectroscopy
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Summary:Tailoring the physicochemical properties and hence reactivity of semiconductor photocatalysts in a predictable fashion, remains a challenge to their industrial application. Here we demonstrate the striking promotional effect of incorporating single Cu(I) atoms, on aqueous phase photocatalytic dye degradation and H2 production over surfactant-templated mesoporous TiO2. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that ultra-low concentrations of copper (0.02–0.1 wt%) introduced into the mesoporous TiO2 surface create isolated Cu (I) species which suppress charge recombination, and confer a six-fold photocatalytic promotion of Methyl Orange degradation and four-fold enhancement of H2 evolution. The impact of mesopore structure and photophysical properties on photocatalytic activity is also quantified for the first time: calcination increases mesopore size and nanocrystalline order, and induces an anatase to rutile phase transition that is accompanied by a decrease in the optical band gap, increased charge carrier lifetime, and a concomitant significant activity enhancement.
ISSN:0926-3373
1873-3883