Visible-light-driven benzyl alcohol oxidation over Pt/Mn-Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets: Structure-function relationship of multicomponent photocatalysts

Herein, a series of Pt nanoparticles modificatory Mn doped Bi4Ti3O12 ultrathin nanosheets (Pt/MnNS) are constructed as a surface functionalized photocatalyst for the visible-light-driven selective benzyl alcohol (BA) oxidation. Especially, Pt/5MnNS shows the best performance with a benzaldehyde (BD) yield rate of 1180 lmol center dot g-1 center dot h-1 and a selectivity of 99.9 %. More importantly, experimental results reveal that Mn doping not only extends the optical absorption range of the photocatalyst to the visible region, but also induces the formation of more surface Ti4+d atoms. Those Ti4+d atoms as stronger Lewis acid centers achieve more conspicuous adsorption and activation of BA via the CAO center dot center dot center dot Ti coordination. It makes the deprotonation of BA by photogenerated holes be easier. Meanwhile, Pt nanoparticles significantly pro-mote the separation and transfer of the photogenerated carriers for supporting the formation of superox-ide and carbon-centered radicals. Thus, the photocatalytic BA oxidation efficiency is markedly improved by surface multicomponent synergistic effect.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, Pt nanoparticles modified Mn doped Bi4Ti3O12 ultrathin nanosheets (Pt/MnNS) were constructed as a surface functionalized photocatalyst for visible-light-driven selective benzyl alcohol (BA) oxidation. Among them, Pt/5MnNS showed the best performance with a benzaldehyde (BD) yield rate of 1180 μmol·g-1·h-1 and a selectivity of 99.9%. Experimental results revealed that Mn doping extended the optical absorption range of the photocatalyst to the visible region and induced the formation of more surface Ti4+d atoms. These Ti4+d atoms served as stronger Lewis acid centers, achieving more prominent adsorption and activation of BA, making it easier to deprotonate BA by photogenerated holes. Meanwhile, Pt nanoparticles significantly promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, supporting the formation of superoxide and carbon-centered radicals. Thus, the photocatalytic BA oxidation efficiency was markedly improved by surface multicomponent synergistic effect.