Optimized Pt Single Atom Harvesting on TiO2 Nanotubes-Towards a Most Efficient Photocatalyst

In the present work the authors show that anodic TiO2 nanotubes (NT) show excellent harvesting properties for Pt single atoms (Pt SAs) from highly dilute Pt solutions. The tube walls of anodic nanotubes, after adequate annealing to anatase, provide ample of suitable trapping sites-that is, surface Ti3+-O-v (O-v: oxygen vacancy) defects that are highly effective to extract and accumulate Pt in the form of SAs. A saturated (maximized) SA density can be achieved by an overnight immersion of a TiO2 NT layer to a H2PtCl6 solution with a concentration that is as low as 0.01 mm Pt. Such TiO2 NTs with surface trapped Pt SAs provide a maximized high activity for photocatalytic H-2 generation (reaching a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1.24 x 10(6) h(-1) at a density of 1.4 x 10(5) Pt atoms mu m(-2))-a higher loading with Pt nanoparticles does not further increase the photocatalytic activity. Overall, these findings show that anodic TiO2 nanotubes provide a remarkable substrate for Pt extraction and recovery from very dilute solutions that directly results in a highly efficient photocatalyst, fabricated by a simple immersion technique.

Automated summary

Anodic TiO2 nanotubes are shown to have excellent properties for harvesting Pt single atoms from highly dilute solutions. The tube walls provide suitable trapping sites for Pt SAs, and a high activity for photocatalytic H-2 generation can be achieved by immersing the nanotubes in a low concentration Pt solution. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of anodic TiO2 nanotubes for efficient Pt extraction and recovery, leading to highly active photocatalysts.