Abstract
Transient absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies were used to study reactions of photogenerated electrons and holes on TiO 2 with methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid (compounds that, together with methane, have been observed in the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2). The ultrafast dynamics of hole scavenging was found to be an order of magnitude faster on the surface of TiO 2 than in the corresponding homogeneous systems. Additionally, the equilibrium constant for the reaction of photogenerated electrons in TiO 2 with adsorbed CO 2 was estimated to be less than 3.2 M -1, regardless of the presence of hole scavengers and product molecules. Formic acid serves as both the hole and the electron acceptor, yielding the protonated radical anions (OC •OH), and formyl radicals, respectively. For methanol and formaldehyde only photooxidation, but no one-electron photoreduction, was observed by EPR spectroscopy; these molecules are either reduced in a two-electron process or act only as hole scavengers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 878-885 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 12 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Energy(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films