Formation of Carbon-Induced Nitrogen-Centered Radicals on Titanium Dioxide under Illumination.

ABSTRACT: Titanium dioxide is the most studied photocatalytic material and has been reported to be active for a wide range of reactions, including the oxidation of hydrocarbons and the reduction of nitrogen. However, the molecular-scale interactions between the titania photocatalyst and dinitrogen are still debated, particularly in the presence of hydrocarbons. Here, we used several spectroscopic and computational techniques to identify interactions among nitrogen, methanol, and titania under illumination. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) allowed us to observe the formation of carbon radicals upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These carbon radicals are observed to transform into diazo- and nitrogen-centered radicals (e.g., CH_xN₂^• and CH<

SUBMITTER: Huang PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10751760 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature