Photocatalytic Decomposition of NO at 275 K on Titanium Oxides Included within Y-Zeolite Cavities: The Structure and Role of the Active Sites

Recent Advances in Tetra- (Ti, Sn, Zr, Hf) and Pentavalent (Nb, V, Ta) Metal-Substituted Molecular Sieve Catalysis

Metal substitution of molecular sieve systems is a major driving force in developing novel catalytic processes to meet current demands of green chemistry concepts and to achieve sustainability in the chemical industry and in other aspects of our everyday life. The advantages of metal-substituted molecular sieves include high surface areas, molecular sieving effects, confinement effects, and active site and morphology variability and stability. The present review aims to comprehensively and critically assess recent advances in the area of tetra- (Ti, Sn, Zr, Hf) and pentavalent (V, Nb, Ta) metal-substituted molecular sieves, which are mainly characterized for their Lewis acidic active sites. Metal oxide molecular sieve materials with properties similar to those of zeolites and siliceous molecular sieve systems are also discussed, in addition to relevant studies on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and some composite MOF systems. In particular, this review focuses on (i) synthesis aspects determining active site accessibility and local environment; (ii) advances in active site characterization and, importantly, quantification; (iii) selective redox and isomerization reaction applications; and (iv) photoelectrocatalytic applications.

Bismuth-Graphene Nanohybrids: Synthesis, Reaction Mechanisms, and Photocatalytic Applications—A Review

Photocatalysis is a classical solution to energy conversion and environmental pollution control problems. In photocatalysis, the development and exploration of new visible light catalysts and their synthesis and modification strategies are crucial. It is also essential to understand the mechanism of these reactions in the various reaction media. Recently, bismuth and graphene’s unique geometrical and electronic properties have attracted considerable attention in photocatalysis. This review summarizes bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ synthetic processes with various design considerations, fundamental mechanisms of action, heterogeneous photocatalysis, benefits, and challenges. Some key applications in energy conversion and environmental pollution control are discussed, such as CO2 reduction, water splitting, pollutant degradation, disinfection, and organic transformations. The detailed perspective of bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ applications in various research fields presented herein should be of equal interest to academic and industrial scientists.

Functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 silica: recent trends and catalytic applications

The development of advanced materials for heterogeneous catalytic applications requires fine control over the synthesis and structural parameters of the active site. Mesoporous silica materials have attracted increasing attention to be considered as an important class of nanostructured support materials in heterogeneous catalysis. Their large surface area, well-defined porous architecture and ability to incorporate metal atoms within the mesopores lead them to be a promising support material for designing a variety of different catalysts. In particular, SBA-15 mesoporous silica has its broad applicability in catalysis because of its comparatively thicker walls leading to higher thermal and mechanical stability. In this review article, various strategies to functionalize SBA-15 mesoporous silica have been reviewed with a view to evaluating its efficacy in different catalytic transformation reactions. Special attention has been given to the molecular engineering of the silica surface, within the framework and within the hexagonal mesoporous channels for anchoring metal oxides, single-site species and metal nanoparticles (NPs) serving as catalytically active sites.

Design of Advanced Functional Materials Using Nanoporous Single-Site Photocatalysts

Nanoporous silica solids can offer opportunities for hosting photocatalytic components such as various tetra-coordinated transition metal ions to form systems referred to as "single-site photocatalysts". Under UV/visible-light irradiation, they form charge transfer excited states, which exhibit a localized charge separation and thus behave differently from those of bulk semiconductor photocatalysts exemplified by TiO₂ . This account presents an overview of the design of advanced functional materials based on the unique photo-excited mechanisms of single-site photocatalysts. Firstly, the incorporation of single-site photocatalysts within transparent porous silica films will be introduced, which exhibit not only unique photocatalytic properties, but also high surface hydrophilicity with self-cleaning and antifogging applications. Secondary, photo-assisted deposition (PAD) of metal precursors on single-site photocatalysts opens up a new route to prepare nanoparticles. Thirdly, visible light sensitive photocatalysts with single and/or binary oxides moieties can be prepared so as to use solar light, the ideal energy source.

The formation and detection techniques of oxygen vacancies in titanium oxide-based nanostructures

TiO2 and other titanium oxide-based nanomaterials have drawn immense attention from researchers in different scientific domains due to their fascinating multifunctional properties, relative abundance, environmental friendliness, and bio-compatibility. However, the physical and chemical properties of titanium oxide-based nanomaterials are found to be explicitly dependent on the presence of various crystal defects. Oxygen vacancies are the most common among them and have always been the subject of both theoretical and experimental research as they play a crucial role in tuning the inherent properties of titanium oxides. This review highlights different strategies for effectively introducing oxygen vacancies in titanium oxide-based nanomaterials, as well as a discussion on the positions of oxygen vacancies inside the TiO2 band gap based on theoretical calculations. Additionally, a detailed review of different experimental techniques that are extensively used for identifying oxygen vacancies in TiO2 nanostructures is also presented.

Ti-Based Catalysts and Photocatalysts: Characterization and Modeling

This perspective article aims to underline how cutting-edge synchrotron radiation spectroscopies such as extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), high resolution fluorescence detected (HRFD) XANES, X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) have played a key role in the structural and electronic characterization of Ti-based catalysts and photocatalysts, representing an important additional value to the outcomes of conventional laboratory spectroscopies (UV-Vis, IR, Raman, EPR, NMR etc.). Selected examples are taken from the authors research activity in the last two decades, covering both band-gap and shape engineered TiO₂ materials and microporous titanosilicates (ETS-10, TS-1 and Ti-AlPO-5). The relevance of the state of the art simulation techniques as a support for experiments interpretation is underlined for all the reported examples.

Single-site and nano-confined photocatalysts designed in porous materials for environmental uses and solar fuels

Silica-based micro-, meso-, macro-porous materials offer attractive routes for designing single-site photocatalysts, supporting semiconducting nanoparticles, anchoring light-responsive metal complexes, and encapsulating metal nanoparticles to drive photochemical reactions by taking advantage of their large surface area, controllable pore channels, remarkable transparency to UV/vis and tailorable physicochemical surface characteristics. This review mainly focuses on the fascinating photocatalytic properties of silica-supported Ti catalysts from single-site catalysts to nanoparticles, their surface-chemistry engineering, such as the hydrophobic modification and synthesis of thin films, and the fabrication of nanocatalysts including morphology controlled plasmonic nanostructures with localized surface plasmon resonance. The hybridization of visible-light responsive metal complexes with porous materials for the construction of functional inorganic-organic supramolecular photocatalysts is also included. In addition, the latest progress in the application of MOFs as excellent hosts for designing photocatalytic systems is described.

On the dynamical nature of the active center in a single-site photocatalyst visualized by 4D ultrafast electron microscopy

Understanding the dynamical nature of the catalytic active site embedded in complex systems at the atomic level is critical to developing efficient photocatalytic materials. Here, we report, using 4D ultrafast electron microscopy, the spatiotemporal behaviors of titanium and oxygen in a titanosilicate catalytic material. The observed changes in Bragg diffraction intensity with time at the specific lattice planes, and with a tilted geometry, provide the relaxation pathway: the Ti(4+)=O(2-) double bond transformation to a Ti(3+)-O(1-) single bond via the individual atomic displacements of the titanium and the apical oxygen. The dilation of the double bond is up to 0.8 Å and occurs on the femtosecond time scale. These findings suggest the direct catalytic involvement of the Ti(3+)-O(1-) local structure, the significance of nonthermal processes at the reactive site, and the efficient photo-induced electron transfer that plays a pivotal role in many photocatalytic reactions.

Rapid and morphology controlled synthesis of anionic S-doped TiO2 photocatalysts for the visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants

In recent years, growing concerned has been raised to the global problem of the drainage of organic pollutants into water steams.

Design and functionalization of photocatalytic systems within mesoporous silica

In the past decades, various photocatalysts such as TiO2, transition-metal-oxide moieties within cavities and frameworks, or metal complexes have attracted considerable attention in light-excited catalytic processes. Owing to high surface areas, transparency to UV and visible light as well as easily modified surfaces, mesoporous silica-based materials have been widely used as excellent hosts for designing efficient photocatalytic systems under the background of environmental remediation and solar-energy utilization. This Minireview mainly focuses on the surface-chemistry engineering of TiO2/mesoporous silica photocatalytic systems and fabrication of binary oxides and nanocatalysts in mesoporous single-site-photocatalyst frameworks. Recently, metallic nanostructures with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) have been widely studied in catalytic applications harvesting light irradiation. Accordingly, silver and gold nanostructures confined in mesoporous silica and their corresponding catalytic activity enhanced by the LSPR effect will be introduced. In addition, the integration of metal complexes within mesoporous silica materials for the construction of functional inorganic-organic supramolecular photocatalysts will be briefly described.

Zeolites: Promised Materials for the Sustainable Production of Hydrogen

Zeolites have been shown to be useful catalysts in a large variety of reactions, from acid to base and redox catalysis. The particular properties of these materials (high surface area, uniform porosity, interconnected pore/channel system, accessible pore volume, high adsorption capacity, ion-exchange ability, and shape/size selectivity) provide crucial features as effective catalysts and catalysts supports. Currently, new applications are being developed from the considerable existing knowledge about these important and remarkable materials. Among them, those applications related to the development of processes with less impact on the environment (green processes) and with the production of alternative and cleaner energies are of paramount importance. Hydrogen is believed to be critical for the energy and environmental sustainability. It is a clean energy carrier which can be used for transportation and stationary power generation. In the production of hydrogen, the development of new catalysts is one of the most important and effective ways to address the problems related to the sustainable production of hydrogen. This paper explores the possibility to use zeolites as catalysts or supports of catalysts to produce hydrogen from renewable resources. Specifically, two approaches have been considered: reforming of biomass-derived compounds (reforming of bioethanol) and water splitting using solar energy. This paper examines the role of zeolites in the preparation of highly active and selective ethanol steam reforming catalysts and their main properties to be used as efficient water splitting photocatalysts.

Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide by Water: A Step towards Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals

Photo catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide orartificial photo synthesisto yield hydrogen and hydrocarbons like methane, methanol etc., has emerged as a subject/process of intensive study due to its potential applications towards abatement of atmospheric CO2levels and conversion to fuels and chemicals. This Chapter provides a comprehensive picture of the process that has posed several scientific and technological challenges, like activation of most stable molecules-CO2and water, extremely low conversion rates, complex reaction pathways involving multi electron transfer steps and short catalyst life. All the major aspects/developments on this process like, the salient features and technological aspects, thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics, various types of photo-active catalysts-, like, titania based catalysts and titania with various dopants and modifiers, various metal oxides/sulfides/nitrides/ layered titanates, binary and ternary oxides of Nb, Ta, Ga & In mixed oxide catalysts, metal complexes, and supra molecular catalysts-, sensitization by macro cylic ligands, influence of process parameters, catalyst structure-property-activity correlations, aspects of deactivation of catalysts, reaction mechanistic aspects and sequential surface reaction pathways, recent trends and future directions have been covered. Design and development of efficient catalyst systems and achieving higher yield of desired products (higher selectivity) and extending the catalyst life are the key issues being pursued by the researchers. The process is in nascent stage and further improvements are needed as CO2conversion rates are extremely small, with products formed in terms of 1-10 micro moles/hr. One of the means of improving the process efficiency is to carry out electrochemical reduction of CO2using solar electric power, with an integrated Photo electrochemical cell (PEC). Yet another option is to reduce CO2to methanol with hydrogen produced using solar powered PEC.

Elaboration, characterization and properties of silica-based single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts

This study concerns single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts, composed of isolated transition metals ions (single-sites) dispersed on silica-based supports, which can be used as photocatalysts. The first part gives the definition of single-site heterogeneous catalysts. The main difficulty to prepare the latter resides in the speciation of the key elements (metal of the catalytically active phase and oxygen of the solid support) and other species (notably counter ions and ligands) the presence of which depends on the synthesis method adopted. The best preparation methods as well as the ideal features of single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts are discussed before the study focuses on single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts. Case studies are presented with photocatalysts involving titanium and chromium, and their photocatalytic reactions such as CO 2 reduction with H 2 O, degradation of organic pollutants diluted in water, NO decomposition and selective oxidation of propane are also described.

Optical, electrical and dielectric properties of TiO2-SiO2 films prepared by a cost effective sol-gel process

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) thin films and their mixed films were synthesized by the sol-gel spin coating method using titanium tetra isopropoxide (TTIP) and tetra ethyl ortho silicate (TEOS) as the precursor materials for TiO(2) and SiO(2) respectively. The pure and composite films of TiO(2) and SiO(2) were deposited on glass and silicon substrates. The optical properties were studied for different compositions of TiO(2) and SiO(2) sols and the refractive index and optical band gap energies were estimated. MOS capacitors were fabricated using TiO(2) films on p-silicon (100) substrates. The current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics were studied and the electrical resistivity and dielectric constant were estimated for the films annealed at 200°C for their possible use in optoelectronic applications.

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂: from molecules to semiconductors

We are facing three serious problems related to fossil resources, i.e., shortage of energy, shortage of carbon resources, and the global worming problem. Development of practical systems for converting CO₂ to useful chemicals using solar light, i.e., photocatalytic CO₂ reduction systems, should be one of the best solutions for these problems. In this article, we review photocatalytic CO₂ reduction systems, which are classified in two categories: (1) homogeneous reaction systems mainly using transition metal complexes, and (2) heterogeneous systems mainly using inorganic semiconductor as a light absorber.

A new visible-light photocatalyst: CdS quantum dots embedded mesoporous TiO2

Cadmium sulfide quantum dots (QDs) sensitized mesoporous TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by preplanting cadmium oxide as crystal seeds into the framework of ordered mesoporous titanium dioxide and then converting CdO to CdS QDs through ion-exchange. The presence of CdS QDs in the TiO2 framework extended its photoresponse to the visible-light region by accelerating the photogenerated electron transfer from the inorganic sensitizer to TiO2. The new photocatalyst showed excellent photocatalytic efficiency for both oxidation of NO gas in air and degradation of organic compounds in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The photocatalysts were characterized byX RD, N2 adsorption-desorption, TEM, XPS, UV/vis, and PL spectroscopy. The relationship between the physicochemical properties and the photocatalytic performance of the sample is discussed.

New route for the preparation of Pd and PdAu nanoparticles using photoexcited Ti-containing zeolite as an efficient support material and investigation of their catalytic properties

A simple and unique route to synthesize nanosize Pd particles using a zeolite support including a single-site Ti oxide moiety (TS-1) under UV-light irradiation has been developed. By the photoassisted deposition (PAD) method, a Pd precursor can be deposited directly on the photoexcited tetrahedrally coordinated Ti oxide moiety within the zeolite frameworks from an aqueous solution of Pd. The subsequent reduction with H2 generates the nanosized Pd metal particles with a narrow size distribution (PAD-Pd/TS-1). Characterization by XAFS and TEM analysis revealed that the size of the metal particles depends on the preparation methods and that the smaller sizes of Pd nanoparticles were formed on the photodeposited catalysts compared with the conventionally prepared impregnated catalysts. PAD also provides PdAu bimetallic nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of mixture of PdCl2 and HAuCl4. The catalytic activities in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using H2 and O2 gases under atmospheric pressure were strongly dependent on the preparation method and the presence of Au atoms. Here, both deposition of PdAu onto the TS-1 moiety under UV-light irradiation was the most efficient for the above reaction. The applicability of the present catalytic system is highlighted by the one-pot reaction of phenol using PAD-Pd/TS-1 in the presence of H2 and O2, in which both Pd nanoparticles and isolated Ti oxide moieties within the frameworks participate in the formation of H2O2 and oxidation of phenol, respectively.

Photocatalytic performance of TiO2 catalysts modified by H3PW12O40, ZrO2 and CeO2

The binary composite photo-catalysts CeO2/TiO2, ZrO2/TiO2 and the ternary composite photo-catalysts H3PW12O40-CeO2/TiO2, H3PW12O40-ZrO2/TiO2 were prepared by sol-gel method. The catalysts were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic elimination of methanol was used as model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the composite catalysts under ultraviolet light irradiation. The effects of doped content, activation temperature, time, initial concentration of methanol and gas flow rate on the catalytic activity were investigated. The results showed that after doping a certain amount of CeO2 and ZrO2, crystallization process of TiO2 was restrained, particles of catalysts are smaller and more uniform. Doping ZrO2 not only significantly improved the catalytic activity, but also increased thermal stability. Doping H3PW12O40 also enhanced the catalytic activity. The catalytic activities of binary and ternary composite photocatalysts were significantly higher than un-doped TiO2. The dynamics law of photocatalytic reaction over the binary CeO2/TiO2 and ZrO2/TiO2 catalysts has been studied. The activation energy 15.627 and 15.631 kJ/mol and pre-exponential factors 0.5176 and 0.9899 s(-1) over each corresponding catalyst were obtained. This reaction accords to the first order dynamics law.