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Photocatalytic CO2 reduction over A2Ti6O13 (A=Na and K) titanates synthesized by different pH-catalyzed sol–gel

  • Original Paper: Sol–gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
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Abstract

Na2Ti6O13 (NTO) and K2Ti6O13 (KTO) catalysts were prepared by the sol–gel method by adjusting the pH during hydrolysis. Both the prepared catalysts exhibited a rod-like morphology, demonstrating some microstructural changes such as changes in their rod length, surface area, pore volume, and crystallinity as a result of the pH conditions during synthesis. It is assumed that these changes and the presence of impurities (TiO2) were responsible for the different behaviors observed in the CO2 photocatalytic reduction to formaldehyde and methanol under UV irradiation without any cocatalyst. For example, the NTO sample synthesized without catalyst (neutral media; N-NTO) showed the highest formaldehyde production (93 μmol g−1), which may be due to the presence of TiO2 in both the anatase and rutile phases (up to 10 w%). On the contrary, the neutral synthesized KTO sample (N-KTO), a purer catalyst than NTO (anatase concentration below 5 w%), enhanced methanol production (95 μmol g−1) because of its more favorable physicochemical properties and band position.

Highlights

  • Na2Ti6O13 and K2Ti6O13 catalysts were prepared by the sol–gel method by adjusting the pH during hydrolysis.

  • The CO2 photocatalytic reduction to formaldehyde and methanol was carried out by using both catalysts.

  • The presence of TiO2 as an impurity in samples modifies the photocatalytic reaction yields.

  • Higher formaldehyde production was obtained using the neutral NTO sample (93 μmol g−1).

  • Methanol production was achieved only using the KTO catalysts (95 μmol g−1; KTO-N-SG).

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported to CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico) through CB-2014-237049, PDCPN-2015-487, CONACYT-FC-1725 grants, the UANL (Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico) through PAIFIC-UANL2018-5 and SEP-PROFIDES 511-6/18-11852. Garay-Rodríguez thanks to CONACYT for his Ph.D. scholarship 635249.

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  1. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil-Departamento de Ecomateriales y Energía, Cd. Universitaria, C.P, 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico

    Luis F. Garay-Rodríguez & Leticia M. Torres-Martínez

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Garay-Rodríguez, L.F., Torres-Martínez, L.M. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction over A2Ti6O13 (A=Na and K) titanates synthesized by different pH-catalyzed sol–gel. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 93, 428–437 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-019-05138-5

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