Progress, challenge, and perspective of bimetallic TiO2-based photocatalysts

Abstract

Bimetallic TiO2-based photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention in recent years as a class of highly active catalysts and photocatalysts under both UV and Vis light irradiation. Bimetallic noble metal structures deposited on TiO2 possess the ability to absorb visible light, in a wide wavelength range (broad LSPR peak), and therefore reveal the highest level of activity as a result of utilization of a large amount of incident photons. On the other hand they can enhance the rate of trapping photoexcited electrons and inhibit the recombination process due to the capability of the storage of photoexcited electrons. Based on literature two groups of bimetallic photocatalysts were distinguished. The first group includes bimetallic TiO2 photocatalysts (BMOX), highly active under UV and Vis light irradiation in a variety of oxidation reactions, and the second group presents bimetallic photocatalysts (BMRED) exceptionally active in hydrogenation reactions. This review summarizes recent advances in the preparation and environmental application of bimetallic TiO 2-based photocatalysts. Moreover, the effects of various parameters such as particle shape, size, amount of metals, and calcination on the photocatalytic activity of bimetallic TiO2-based photocatalysts are also discussed. © 2014 Anna Zielińska-Jurek.