Direct (one-step) synthesis of TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic mineralisation of sucrose

Wey Yang Teoh, Lutz Mädler, Donia Beydoun*, Sotiris E. Pratsinis, Rose Amal

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

188 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 nanoparticles were made by a one-step flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) process that resulted in mostly anatase (69-85 wt%) powders with controlled specific surface area and crystallite size. These particles resulted in shorter half-lives for sucrose photomineralisation, up to 50% lower than Degussa P25. Co-precipitation of Pt on TiO2 during FSP increased the rutile content and slightly increased the specific surface area. Close control over Pt deposit size during this process was possible by varying the Pt concentration in the feed precursor. The dispersion of the Pt was high, 45-77% (at 4.0-0.1 atom% Pt) and corresponded to metal deposit size of 2.5-1.4 nm, respectively. An optimum photocatalytic activity was observed at 0.5 atom% Pt loading. At low Pt loading (0.1 atom% Pt), the activity was lower than that of FSP-made TiO2 since the high photocurrent density of the Pt deposits increased the electron-hole recombination. The deposit size was also too small to establish sufficient electrical contact for efficient interfacial charge transfer between the photocatalysts and sucrose. Additional studies on the photocatalytic mineralisation of sucrose under oxygen enriched conditions reaffirmed the postulation that both FSP-made TiO2 and improved Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts favoured a reductive pathway which was different and faster than the pathway followed when using Degussa P25 TiO2. The intricate relationship between photocatalyst characteristics and its performance is highlighted. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5852-5861
JournalChemical Engineering Science
Volume60
Issue number21
Online published15 Jul 2005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Research Keywords

  • Composites
  • Flame spray pyrolysis
  • Nanostructure
  • Particle formation
  • Photochemistry
  • Titania

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