In this work, photothermal synergism
over Pd/TiO2 catalysts
with varying rutile and anatase phases was investigated for selective
catalytic reduction of NO with H2. In the absence of light,
two NO
x
reduction peaks were observed
over Pd/TiO2 catalysts. Pd/TiO2-R exhibited
better NO
x
conversion (65 vs 30%) at 75
°C, while Pd/TiO2-A delivered higher activity (82
vs 40%) at 225 °C. Light excitation exerted a more significant
promotional effect over Pd/TiO2-R than over the Pd/TiO2-A catalyst. Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS)
with transient experiments indicated that more nitrates and ammonia
species formed on Pd/TiO2-R. For Pd/TiO2-R,
bridging, mondentate, and bidentate nitrates served as active NO
x
adsorbed species at all the investigated
reaction temperatures. Ammonia species that originated from the reduction
of active NO
x
species were highly active
intermediates, which can react with active NO
x
species to form N2 and H2O. However,
for the Pd/TiO2-A catalyst, bridging and monodentate nitrates
were active NO
x
adsorbed species at 75
°C. The reaction pathway at 225 °C facilitates the reaction
between adsorbed NO2 and spiltover hydrogen. From the results
of valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VBXPS) and UV–vis
diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), it could be
deduced that the photogenerated holes of both Pd/TiO2 catalysts
could activate NO and hydrogen. Moreover, the electrons in the conduction
band of the Pd/TiO2-R catalyst had stronger reduction ability,
which could combine with O2 to form •O2
–. All these results provided a new
insight into the understanding of photothermal synergism in heterogeneous
catalysis.