A Combined Photoelectrochemical and Theoretical Study to Understand Adsorption Properties of Organic Molecules on TiCh Surfaces

摘要

Titanium photocatalytical applications in clean energy generation and environmental remediation involve interactions between organic species and TiCh materials. Such interactions not only depend on the intrinsic properties of TiO_2, but also on their surface structures. The adsorption properties of organic species on the surface are vital for the photocatalytical performance of TiO_2. Hence, understanding adsorption properties of organic compounds on various crystalline TiO_2 surfaces is essential for the further technological development. Throughout this study, extensive investigations have been carried out on the synthesis of TiO_2 photoanodes immobilised on the conductive substrate and exposed by specific surfaces at the solid/liquid interface. The PEC measurement of organic adsorption properties and degradation kinetics on diverse TiO_2 surfaces can be conducted using these photoanodes. At the same time, the adsorption properties of organic molecules on the TiO_2 surface were studied at the atomic level. These results highlight several areas that can be further investigated. The combination of these experimental measurements and theoretical analyses can be used to investigate the adsorption properties of molecules with different functional groups on the various photocatalyst surfaces, which may benefit the development of photocatalysts with improved solar conversion efficiencies.