In situ noble metal-ion modified TiO2 rutile nanobars with highly exposed {110} facets: Synthesis, structure, and catalytic properties

Abstract

The in situ anchoring of metal elements on the surface of nanomaterials is a state-of-the-art technology that can significantly enhance the performance of materials. We have successfully fabricated noble metal-ion modified rutile TiO₂ nanobars, which exhibit exceptional catalytic activity in both H₂ generation and CO oxidation. Firstly, we synthesized Ti³⁺ self-doped rutile TiO_2-x nanobars by a simple solvothermal method using Zn as a reductant, resulting in highly crystalline structures with a significant proportion of (110) surfaces. The reduced nanobars chemically absorb the noble metal cations with the addition of a solution of a noble metal salt in the absence of light to form in situ noble metal-ion modified catalysts. TiO₂ nanobars with 1 wt% Pt²⁺ and Pd²⁺ exhibited excellent performance in photocatalytic H₂ generation from water and low temperature CO oxidation. Moreover, the samples modified with low noble metal ions (0.1 wt%) also show effective activity in H₂ generation.