No abstract

This work delineates a concept of wettability-selective catalyst, which is realized by functionalizing a metal oxide catalyst within a zeolite sheath with controllable wettability. We synthesized such zeolite sheaths by anchoring organic groups (e.g., -CH3) into a faujasite framework during the crystallization, achieving hydrophobic micropores for selective capture of organic compounds but hindering water diffusion. Further fixation of TiO2 particles within these zeolite crystals resulted in core–shell catalysts denoted as TiO2@HP-zeolite, which combined the functions of both wettability selectivity for the zeolite sheath and photocatalytic activity for the TiO2. Owing to the synergism of these features, TiO2@HP-zeolite displayed superior performances in complete removal of wet formaldehyde in a long-period continuous test under irradiation of sunlight frequencies, outperforming the conventional catalysts with poor water tolerance.

The zeolite materials have been industrially used in the thermal catalysis, but their function in photocatalysis has not been fully explored. Here we report that zeolites as supports could strengthen the radical formation after loading ferric oxide nanoparticles (FeO x /zeolite) under photoirradiation. Multiple theoretical and experimental studies demonstrate that the N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) molecules could be trapped within the orifice of MFI zeolites via a sterically controllable adsorption, weakening the NO–H bonding to boost the phthalimide-N-oxyl radial (PINO·) formation. The formed radicals could activate the carbon–hydrogen bonds for accelerating the hydrocarbon oxidation into the corresponding ketones/carboxylic acids.

No abstract

The preparation of photocatalysts with high activities under visible-light illumination is challenging. We report the rational design and construction of a zirconium-doped anatase catalyst (S-Zr-TiO ) with Brønsted acidity and photoactivity as an efficient catalyst for the degradation of phenol under visible light. Electron microscopy images demonstrate that the zirconium sites are uniformly distributed on the sub-10 nm anatase crystals. UV-visible spectrometry indicates that the S-Zr-TiO is a visible-light-responsive catalyst with narrower band gap than conventional anatase. Pyridine-adsorption infrared and acetone-adsorption C NMR spectra confirm the presence of Brønsted acidic sites on the S-Zr-TiO sample. Interestingly, the S-Zr-TiO catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity in the degradation of phenol under visible-light illumination, owing to a synergistic effect of the Brønsted acidity and photoactivity. Importantly, the S-Zr-TiO shows good recyclability.