Issue 5, 2016

Ti(iv) nanoclusters as a promoter on semiconductor photocatalysts for the oxidation of organic compounds

Abstract

The surface modification of semiconductors is a potential approach for the development of visible-light-sensitive photocatalysts. Here, we report that amorphous Ti(IV) nanoclusters grafted onto metal oxide photocatalysts function as efficient promoters for the oxidation of organic contaminants, including acetaldehyde and 2-propanol. Ti(IV) nanoclusters were facilely grafted onto metal oxides like titanium dioxide (TiO2) and tungsten trioxide (WO3) by using a simple impregnation method. The photocatalytic activity of Ti(IV) nanocluster-grafted TiO2 under UV-light irradiation was much higher than that of bare TiO2, even though the surface area and photon absorption of these two materials were identical. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributable to hole trapping by the Ti(IV) nanoclusters, which form a unique electronic structure, resulting in efficient charge separation. Kelvin probe force microscopy analysis revealed that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the Ti(IV) nanoclusters has a more negative potential than the valence band of bulk rutile TiO2, which allows hole transfer from bulk TiO2 to the Ti(IV) nanoclusters. The grafting of Ti(IV) nanoclusters was also shown to increase the photocatalytic activity of WO3. WO3 also requires reduction reaction promoters, such as Cu(II) nanoclusters, because of the low energy of its conduction band (CB). The grafting of both Ti(IV) and Cu(II) nanoclusters onto WO3 resulted in the highest reaction rate reported to date for the decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol under visible-light irradiation.

Graphical abstract: Ti(iv) nanoclusters as a promoter on semiconductor photocatalysts for the oxidation of organic compounds

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Oct 2015
Accepted
24 Dec 2015
First published
29 Dec 2015

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016,4, 1784-1791

Author version available

Ti(IV) nanoclusters as a promoter on semiconductor photocatalysts for the oxidation of organic compounds

R. Inde, M. Liu, D. Atarashi, E. Sakai and M. Miyauchi, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 1784 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA08340K

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