Impact of nano or single-atom Ag and Pt supported on black chiral TiO2 on its photocatalytic activity

• Grant number: 23/12948-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Grantee: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Host Investigator: Remita Hynd
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Paris-Saclay, Campus D'Orsay, France

Abstract

The global energy crisis and environmental pollution drive innovative research for sustainable solutions. Photocatalysis, converting light to chemical energy, holds potential. TiO2 anatase is a notable semiconductor photocatalyst, yet limited visible light absorption and electron-hole recombination hinder its efficiency. Novel approaches include chiral nanostructures and plasmonic nanoparticles.Chiral structures enhance photocatalysis activity by modifying photonic stop bands and light absorption. Oxygen-deficient black TiO2 broadens its visible light absorption. Whereas plasmonic nanoparticles, such as Ag, and Pt enhance light absorption (Ag), charge separation, and electron transfer, of large-bandgap semiconductors as TiO2.This hybrid finds applications in wastewater treatment, organic degradation, and green hydrogen production. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) on TiO2 offer tunable energy levels and high dispersion, combining heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Ag, Pt SACs on TiO2 exhibit exceptional catalytic activities. This project aims to synthesize Ag, Pt nanoparticles and single atoms supported on chiral black TiO2 and understand its effect onto hydrogen production and wastewater treatment using phenol as a model pollutant. This study advances sustainable photocatalysis using chiral nanostructures, plasmonic nanoparticles, and SACs for energy conversion and environmental remediation. (AU)