Titania-based heterogeneous photocatalysis. Materials, mechanistic issues, and implications for environmental remediation

Rajeshwar, Krishnan; Chenthamarakshan, C. R.; Goeringer, Scott; Djukic, Miljana

doi:10.1351/pac200173121849

Pure Appl. Chem., 2001, Vol. 73, No. 12, pp. 1849-1860

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200173121849

Titania-based heterogeneous photocatalysis. Materials, mechanistic issues, and implications for environmental remediation

Krishnan Rajeshwar, C. R. Chenthamarakshan, Scott Goeringer and Miljana Djukic

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0065, USA

Abstract: Using hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and methylene blue (MB) as model substrates, we discuss three aspects of TiO2-based heterogeneous photocatalysis. We show first that a given TiO2 sample may not be simultaneously optimal for photocatalytically driving the reduction of Cr(VI) and the oxidation of MB. We further show that a TiO2 sample that strongly adsorbs either of these substrates in the dark is not optimal as a photocatalyst. The other two aspects concern circumventing the rather poor surface catalytic properties and visible light photoresponse of TiO2, respectively. Strategies revolving around the visible light photoexcitation of the substrate itself and metal-modification of the TiO2 surface, are described as possible solutions.