How Do Ionic Liquids Affect the Surface Structure of Titania Photocatalyst? An Electron-Trap Distribution-Analysis Study

Titanium(IV) oxide, titania, photocatalyst particles were prepared from titanium alkoxide in the presence of several kinds of ionic liquids, and it was clarified that a group of samples exhibited photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under the irradiation of light of wavelength >400 nm higher than those of the other group of samples. Although the conventional structural analytical results could not be related to the activity, electron-trap distribution measured by reversed double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopy suggested that a part of the ionic liquid induced the creation of a surface amorphous layer covered with hydrophobic organic residues to enhance the adsorption of phenol on the surface.

Automated summary

Titanium dioxide photocatalyst particles were prepared using titanium alkoxide and various ionic liquids, with some exhibiting higher photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under light irradiation compared to others. The presence of certain ionic liquids was found to induce the formation of a surface amorphous layer covered with hydrophobic organic residues, enhancing the adsorption of phenol on the surface.