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Facet‐Dependent Photocatalytic Properties of TiO 2 ‐Based Composites for Energy Conversion and Environmental Remediation
Author(s) -
Ong WeeJun,
Tan LlingLling,
Chai SiangPiao,
Yong SiekTing,
Mohamed Abdul Rahman
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201300924
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , nanotechnology , titanium dioxide , photodegradation , water splitting , band gap , catalysis , composite material , chemistry , optoelectronics , biochemistry
Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is one of the most widely investigated metal oxides because of its extraordinary surface, electronic, and photocatalytic properties. However, the large band gap of TiO 2 and the considerable recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs limit its photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, research attention is being increasingly directed towards engineering the surface structure of TiO 2 on the atomic level (namely morphological control of {001} facets on the micro‐ and nanoscale) to fine‐tune its physicochemical properties; this could ultimately lead to the optimization of selectivity and reactivity. This Review encompasses the fundamental principles to enhance the photocatalytic activity by using highly reactive {001}‐faceted TiO 2 ‐based composites. The current progress of such composites, with particular emphasis on the photodegradation of pollutants and photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation, is also discussed. The progresses made are thoroughly examined for achieving remarkable photocatalytic performances, with additional insights with regard to charge transfer. Finally, a summary and some perspectives on the challenges and new research directions for future exploitation in this emerging frontier are provided, which hopefully would allow for harnessing the outstanding structural and electronic properties of {001} facets for various energy‐ and environmental‐related applications.