Face-rich Au nanoparticles govern the size dependence of photocatalytic methane coupling on TiO2

Abstract

Au/TiO₂ photocatalysts with controlled Au sizes show a rise-to-plateau dependence in photocatalytic methane coupling, reaching 14.9 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ C₂+ at 89.1% selectivity near 7.8 nm. The face-rich Au on larger particles, reinforced by stronger Au–TiO₂ interaction, as the dominant active motif for C–C coupling.