Plasma Treating Mixed Metal Oxides to Improve Oxidative Performance via Defect Generation.

ABSTRACT: The generation of structural defects in metal oxide catalysts offers a potential pathway to improve performance. Herein, we investigated the effect of thermal hydrogenation and low-temperature plasma treatments on mixed SiO2/TiO2 materials. Hydrogenation at 500 °C resulted in the reduction of the material to produce Ti3+ in the bulk TiO2. In contrast, low temperature plasma treatment for 10 or 20 min generated surface Ti3+ species via the removal of oxygen on both the neat and hydrogenated material. Assessing the photocatalytic activity of the materials demonstrated a 40-130% increase in the rate of formic acid oxidation after plasma treatment. A strong relationship between the Ti3+ content and catalyst activity was established, although a change in the Si-Ti interaction after plasma treat

SUBMITTER: Horlyck J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6747793 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature