Highly Dispersed Platinum Nanoparticles on TiO2 Prepared by Using the Microwave‐Assisted Deposition Method: An Efficient Photocatalyst for the Formation of H2 and N2 from Aqueous NH3

Abstract

A simple and practical technique to synthesize nanosized platinum particles loaded on TiO(2) (Pt-TiO(2)) by using a microwave (Mw)-assisted deposition method has been exploited in the development of a highly efficient photocatalyst for the formation of H(2) and N(2) gases from harmful nitrogen-containing chemical wastes, for example, aqueous ammonia (NH(3)). Upon Mw irradiation, a platinum precursor can be deposited quickly on the TiO(2) surface from an aqueous solution of platinum and subsequent reduction with H(2) affords the nanosized platinum metal particles with a narrow size distribution (Mw-Pt-TiO(2)). Characterization by CO adsorption, platinum L(III)-edge X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, and TEM analysis revealed that the size of the metal nanoparticles strongly depended on the preparation methods. Smaller platinum nanoparticles were obtained by the Mw heating method than those obtained by conventional preparation techniques, such as photoassisted deposition (PAD), impregnation (Imp), and equilibrium adsorption (EA) deposition by conventional convective heating. The H(2) and N(2) formation rates increased with increasing dispersity of platinum. Pt-TiO(2) prepared by the Mw heating method exhibited a specifically high H(2) formation activity in the photocatalytic decomposition of aqueous NH(3) in a nearly stoichiometric 3:1 (H(2)/N(2)) molar ratio under inert conditions. The present Mw heating method is applicable to a variety of anatase-type TiO(2) species possessing different specific surface areas to provide small and highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution.