Sie befinden Sich nicht im Netzwerk der Universität Paderborn. Der Zugriff auf elektronische Ressourcen ist gegebenenfalls nur via VPN oder Shibboleth (DFN-AAI) möglich. mehr Informationen...
Quantum Size and specific surface state of TiO2 particles fabricated via a microwave-assisted strategy accelerates charge carrier transport and separation by controlling charge transfer from interior to the surface of catalyst for enhanced photocatalytic environmental remediation.
[Display omitted]
•Uniformly quantum-size TiO2 (2–3nm).•Specific surface states and short migration path of charge carriers.•Fast charge transfer from interior to the surface of quantum-size TiO2.•High charge carrier separation.•Enhanced photocatalytic activities for environmental remediation.
Separation and migration of the charge carriers to the surface of semiconductor catalysts are of fundamental importance for efficient photocatalytic reactions. The interior recombination of charge carriers is detrimental to photocatalytic efficiency of catalysts. Reduction in particle size of catalysts in principle promotes charge transport to surface by shortening the migration path. The quantum size is promising for dissociating excitons into free electrons and holes in three spatial dimensions. Herein, we report the quantum-size titania (Q-TiO2) particles (2–3nm) synthesized via a microwave-assisted rout. Combining quantum size and molecular-semiconductor interfacial effect enables more reactive sites exposure and greatly promotes charge transport from interior to surface of Q-TiO2. Hence, the Q-TiO2 catalyst gave rise to significantly improved photocatalytic performances with visible light (λ≥420nm): bacteria (E. coli) disinfection and organic pollutant (RhB) degradation. Taken together, this finding highlights the key importance of specific surface states to take into account high charge-carrier transfer and separation for photocatalytic environmental remediation.