A dual plasmonic core-shell Pt/[TiN@TiO2] catalyst for enhanced photothermal synergistic catalytic activity of VOCs abatement

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ubiquitous organic pollutants affecting atmospheric environment and human health. The development of new efficient and environmentally friendly materials utilizing photothermal synergistic catalysis for purification of VOCs is still challenging. Herein, we design and prepare a core-shell TiN@TiO2 nanostructure integrating with nanoscaled Pt (Pt/[TiN@TiO2]) by an attractive quenching method. The strong light-harvesting capability of Pt and TiN components improve light-to-heat utilization efficiency by their intrinsic surface plasmon resonance effect. The TiO2 component upon the surface and the coexisting coupling effect of Pt-0 and Pt2+ enhance the photocatalytic effect of the system. As a result, the catalytic performance is significantly improved with toluene (120 ppm) conversion of 100% under the gas hourly space velocity of 72,000 mL center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) and light illumination of 500 mW center dot cm(-2). The desired catalyst thus achieves highly efficient coupling effect of photocatalysis and light-to-heat conversion for promoting VOCs abatement.

Automated summary

In this study, a core-shell TiN@TiO2 nanostructure integrated with nanoscaled Pt (Pt/[TiN@TiO2]) was designed and prepared, achieving a highly efficient coupling effect of photocatalysis and light-to-heat conversion for promoting VOCs abatement.