Construction of highly active photocatalytic interfaces through light field modulation and photo-deposition of Pd sites

Abstract

Anchoring noble metal sites through photo-reduction is an effective way to modulate charge distribution on photocatalytic interfaces, thereby enhancing photocatalytic performance. The irradiation field on the exposed surfaces of photocatalysts has an important influence on the morphology and distribution of noble metal sites. However, non-uniform light field derived from the scattering effects of particle-form photocatalysts hinders the well-distributed photo-deposition of noble metal sites. To address this challenge, we proposed a photo-deposition method utilizing the optical fiber coated with photocatalysts. TiO2 nanorod (NR) array was coated on the optical fiber to achieve a well-distributed irradiation filed across the NR array. This resulted in a concentration of the irradiation field primarily within the NR array, maintaining uniformly distributed light intensities throughout. Palladium (Pd) sites dominated by nanoclusters were well distributed on TiO2 NR array utilizing a photo-reduction method. These Pd sites functioned as electron acceptors, facilitating the effective separation and transfer of photo-generated carriers. Consequently, an highly active photocatalytic reaction interface was constructed, demonstrating the accumulation of a substantial concentration of holes and their efficient conversion into hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Notably, hydroxyl radicals with a concentration of 62.6 μM could be generated within 14.4 min. The construction of this efficient photocatalytic interface offers an optimal platform for accelerating photocatalytic reactions and enhancing photocatalytic efficiency.