Effects of Different Delocalized π-Conjugated Systems Towards the TiO2-Based Hybrid Photocatalysts

Abstract

Modulating the structure of a photocatalyst at the molecular level can improve the photocatalytic efficiency and provides a guide for the synthesis of highly qualified photocatalysts. In this study, TiO2 was modified by various organic compounds to form different TiO2-based hybrid photocatalysts. 1,10-Phenanthroline (Phen) is an organic material with delocalized π-conjugated systems. It was used to modify TiO2 to form the hybrid photocatalyst Phen/TiO2. Furthermore, 1,10-phenanthrolin-5-amine (Phen-NH2) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5-nitro (Phen-NO2) were also used to modify TiO2 to form NH2-Phen/TiO2 and NO2-Phen/TiO2, respectively. The samples of TiO2, Phen/TiO2, NO2-Phen/TiO2, and NH2-Phen/TiO2 were carefully characterized, and their photocatalytic performance was compared. The results indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency followed the order of NH2-Phen/TiO2 > NO2-Phen/TiO2 > Phen/TiO2 > TiO2. It could be found that modifying TiO2 with different organic compounds containing delocalized π-conjugated systems could enhance the photocatalytic ability; furthermore, the level of this enhancement could be modulated by different delocalized π-conjugated systems.

Catalytic Design of Matrix-Isolated Ni-Polymer Composites for Methane Catalytic Decomposition

“…The influence on the catalyst structure allows for control over the activity of the resulting catalytic systems and ultimately leads to the synthesis of a catalyst that surpasses the benchmark Pt/C. The effect of conjugated structures on catalytic properties is also shown in the case of photocatalysis [40]. Modification of TiO 2 with compounds containing delocalized π-conjugated systems can increase catalytic activity, and the level of this enhancement can be modulated by various delocalized π-conjugated systems.…”