The Effect of Cu(II) Nanoparticle Decoration on the Electron Relaxations and Gaseous Photocatalytic Oxidations of Nanocrystalline TiO2

A photocatalytic effect arises from the electron relaxation of semiconductors. Directing toward reactions is focus studies. Co-catalyst decoration a main way to modulate relaxation, and Cu(II) nanoparticles have been widely studied as an important co-catalyst. However, detailed mechanism still not well known. The current study devoted investigating nanoparticle on relaxations for TiO2 through in situ photochromism photoconductances, based which relation properties was discussed. result shows that Cu(II)/Cu(0) redox couple assists double transfer O2, while Cu(I)/Cu(0) single O2. Although changes increases rate relaxations, does occur via Cu assistance. It found kinetics depends reduced species, can be greatly increased when Cu(0). also revealed corresponds but it increase mainly directed recombination rather than reactions. present research gains some insights role co-catalysts its photocatalysis; this should meaningful designing novel materials.