Elaboration, characterization and properties of silica-based single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts

Abstract

This study concerns single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts, composed of isolated transition metals ions (single-sites) dispersed on silica-based supports, which can be used as photocatalysts. The first part gives the definition of single-site heterogeneous catalysts. The main difficulty to prepare the latter resides in the speciation of the key elements (metal of the catalytically active phase and oxygen of the solid support) and other species (notably counter ions and ligands) the presence of which depends on the synthesis method adopted. The best preparation methods as well as the ideal features of singlesite heterogeneous photocatalysts are discussed before the study focuses on single-site heterogeneous photocatalysts. Case studies are presented with photocatalysts involving titanium and chromium, and their photocatalytic reactions such as CO2 reduction with H2O, degradation of organic pollutants diluted in water, NO decomposition and selective oxidation of propane are also described. © 2012 The Royal Society.