Photocatalytic dry reforming of methane by rhodium supported monoclinic TiO2-B nanobelts

Abstract

The conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into syngas (dry reforming of methane; DRM) has attracted attention owing to the potential to reuse greenhouse gases. Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based photocatalysts, which have been widely commercialized owing to their high efficiency, non-toxicity, and low cost, are strongly desired in DRM. Here, we report a monoclinic-phase TiO2-B nanobelts-supported rhodium (Rh/TiO2-B nanobelts) catalyst that efficiently promotes DRM under ultraviolet light irradiation at low temperatures. Photogenerated holes in the TiO2-B nanobelts were used to oxidize methane, while the electrons were trapped in rhodium to reduce carbon dioxide. Rh/TiO2-B nanobelts exhibited considerably higher durability and activity than Rh-loaded conventional TiO2 (anatase and rutile), owing to the lattice and/or surface oxygen reactivity in TiO2-B nanobelts, which was suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and photocatalytic performance tests under an atmosphere of methane alone. This study paves the path for the effective utilization of methane by constructing active TiO2-based nanometal photocatalysts.