Bi2O3 decorated TiO2 nanotube confined Pt nanoparticles with enhanced activity for catalytic combustion of ethylene

A novel Pt entrapped in Bi2O3 decorated TiO2 nanotube (Pt-in/Bi2O3@TNT) composite was obtained by the assistance of vacuum impregnation and subsequent calcination. Attributed to the confinement effect, TiO2 nanotube (TNT) confined Pt nanoparticles catalyst (Pt-in/TNT) processed better ethylene (C2H4) combustion activity than Pt nanoparticles loaded on TNT catalyst (Pt-out/TNT). More distinctly, the Pt-in/Bi2O3@TNT displayed enhanced activity towards C2H4 combustion, a nearly complete depletion at 150 degrees C was achieved, which is 30 degrees C lower than that of the Pt-in/TNT. The characterizations of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) not only verified that the electron density destitution of Pt in Pt-in/Bi2O3@TNT is significantly enhanced due to the modulation of layered Bi2O3 on the confinement effect of TNT, but also indicated that the catalyst facilitates the forming and migrating of active oxygen species. This work presents an efficient confinement effect combined with electron modifier strategy to construct high-performance catalysts for environmental applications.