As a single atom Pd outperforms Pt as the most active co-catalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution

Cha G, Hwang I, Hejazi S, Dobrota AS, Pašti IA, Osuagwu B, Kim H, Will J, Yokosawa T, Badura Z, Kment Š, Mohajernia S, Mazare AV, Skorodumova NV, Spiecker E, Schmuki P (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

iScience Elsevier

Book Volume: 24

Article Number: 102938

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102938

Abstract

Here, we evaluate three different noble metal co-catalysts (Pd, Pt, and Au) that are present as single atoms (SAs) on the classic benchmark photocatalyst, TiO2. To trap the single atoms on the surface, we introduced controlled surface vacancies (Ti³⁺-Ov) on anatase TiO2 nanosheets by a thermal reduction treatment. After anchoring identical loadings of single atoms of Pd, Pt, and Au, we measure the photocatalytic H2 generation rate and compare it to the classic nanoparticle co-catalysts on the nanosheets. While nanoparticles yield the well-established the hydrogen evolution reaction activity sequence (Pt > Pd > Au), for the single atom form, Pd radically outperforms Pt and Au. Based on density functional theory (DFT), we ascribe this unusual photocatalytic co-catalyst sequence to the nature of the charge localization on the noble metal SAs embedded in the TiO2 surface.

Authors with CRIS profile

Additional Organisation(s)

Interdisziplinäres Zentrum, Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM) Graduiertenkolleg 1896/2 In situ Mikroskopie mit Elektronen, Röntgenstrahlen und Rastersonden

Involved external institutions

University of Belgrade / Универзитет у Београду

Serbia (RS) Royal Institute of Technology / Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH)

Sweden (SE) Palacky University Olomouc / Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Czech Republic (CZ)

How to cite

APA:

Cha, G., Hwang, I., Hejazi, S., Dobrota, A.S., Pašti, I.A., Osuagwu, B.,... Schmuki, P. (2021). As a single atom Pd outperforms Pt as the most active co-catalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution. iScience, 24(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102938

MLA:

Cha, Gi, et al. "As a single atom Pd outperforms Pt as the most active co-catalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution." iScience 24.8 (2021).

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