Self-doped Ti3+–TiO2 as a photocatalyst for the reduction of CO2 into a hydrocarbon fuel under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Self-doped TiO₂ shows visible light photocatalytic activity, while commercial TiO₂ (P25) is only UV responsive. The incorporation of Ti³⁺ into TiO₂ structures narrows the band gap (2.90 eV), leading to significantly increased photocatalytic activity for the reduction of CO₂ into a renewable hydrocarbon fuel (CH₄) in the presence of water vapour under visible light irradiation.