Visible Light-Driven Gas-Phase Artificial Photosynthesis Reactions over Ruthenium Metal Nanoparticles Modified with Anatase TiO_2

摘要

Ruthenium metal nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution have been synthesised via a solvothermal method. The solids were characterised using a range of analytical techniques (XRD, TEM, TPD, and XPS) and tested in the CO_2+H_2O reaction under simulated solar radiation, showing photocatalytic activity towards the production of CH_4 and CO. The photocatalysis was promoted through a plasmonic excitation of the Ru. The addition of Ti to the preparation resulted in the formation of anatase TiO_2. Notwithstanding the fact that the energy of the light used during the photocatalysis was insufficient to excite TiO_2, its presence affects the catalysts' optical and chemical properties and the product (CH_4/CO) ratios, favouring the evolution of CO over that of CH_4 (suggesting exciton transfer to TiO_2 from plasmonically excited Ru).