Characterization and Effect of Ag(0) vs. Ag(I) Species and Their Localized Plasmon Resonance on Photochemically Inactive TiO₂

• Main Authors: Chanel Tri Handoko, Nikolaos G. Moustakas, Tim Peppel, Armin Springer, Freddy E. Oropeza, Adri Huda, Muhammad Djoni Bustan, Bambang Yudono, Fakhili Gulo, Jennifer Strunk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: localized surface plasmon resonance; TiO₂; silver; oxidation state; liquid impregnation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/9/4/323

Commercial TiO₂ (anatase) was successfully modified with Ag nanoparticles at different nominal loadings (1%–4%) using a liquid impregnation method. The prepared materials retained the anatase structure and contained a mixture of Ag⁰ and Ag^I species. Samples exhibited extended light absorption to the visible region. The effect of Ag loading on TiO₂ is studied for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CH₄ in a gas–solid process under high-purity conditions. It is remarkable that the reference TiO₂ used in this work is entirely inactive in this reaction, but it allows for studying the effect of Ag on the photocatalytic process in more detail. Only in the case of 2% Ag/TiO₂ was the formation of CH₄ from CO₂ observed. Using different light sources, an influence of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag is verified. A sample in which all Ag has been reduced to the metallic state was less active than the respective sample containing both Ag⁰ and Ag⁺, indicating that a mixed oxidation state is beneficial for photocatalytic performance. These results contribute to a better understanding of the effect of metal modification of TiO₂ in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.