Ultrathin TiO 2 nanosheet (NST) with abundant Ti 3+ sites is developed as a photocatalyst which exhibits a high yield (147.2 μmol g −1 h −1 ) and selectivity (96.8%) for CO 2 to CH 4 . The results of in situ FTIR, in situ EPR and density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggest that CO 2 would be selectively activated on NST surface via forming the bridging Ti···CO 2 − ···Ti coordination species which not only lowers the activation energy barrier, but also determines the selectivity of CH 4 . Additionally, NST with the better separation and transfer ability for photogenerated electrons-holes can fleetly supply the electrons to CO 2 molecules for high efficiently producing CH 4 via the Ti-C coordination bond. Finally, a possible mechanism of the synergistic effect about coordination-activation and photocatalysis is discussed at a molecule level. This work would offer a perspective for designing an effective photocatalyst and tailoring the selectivity of products by coordination activation.
Xiaoqing Gao,Shanhui Zhu,Mei Dong,Jianguo Wang,Weibin Fan
Highly efficient synthesis of valuable γ-valerolactone (GVL) by levulinic acid (LA) hydrogenation is still a challenge for Ru-based catalysts under mild condition. In this work, we have reported that ultrathin TiO 2 nanosheets supported Ru nanoparticles showed extraordinarily high catalytic activity, GVL yield (99.1%) and reusability owing to the formation of Ru O Ti interfacial structure. The turnover frequency (TOF) reached as high as 19,045 h −1 at 100 °C, much higher than those of Ru/SiO 2 , Ru/GO, Ru/MoS 2 , and commercial Ru/C. DFT calculation elucidates that the dominant reaction pathway of LA hydrogenation to GVL is preferentially hydrogenated to CH 3 CHOCH 2 CH 2 COOH*, followed by cyclization to CH 3 (OH)C 4 OH 4 OH* (GVL − OH) and final dehydroxylation, irrespective of surface structure. Compared to Ru (0 0 2) facet, Ru/TiO 2 interfacial structure changes the rate-determining step from initial hydrogenation to cyclization, which greatly declines the activation barrier from 0.81 eV to 0.48 eV.