Understanding the Effect of Particle Size and Adsorbates on the Visible Light Photoelectrical Response of Platinum Nanoparticle Decorated Mesoporous Nickel Oxide photocatalysts

Sápi, András (2016) Understanding the Effect of Particle Size and Adsorbates on the Visible Light Photoelectrical Response of Platinum Nanoparticle Decorated Mesoporous Nickel Oxide photocatalysts. Catalysis Today. pp. 1-17. ISSN 0920-5861 (Submitted)

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Abstract

The visible light photoelectrical properties of a p-type mesoporous nickel oxide (MNO) support was investigated upon the decoration of size controlled, 1.6 nm and 6.4 nm Pt nanoparticles. The near room temperature photoelectrical response of the MNO was 3 times higher after decoration of 1.6 nm Pt nanoparticles with a loading of 1 wt%. The size effect of the Pt nanoparticles is slight, however the surrounding atmosphere has striking effect on the photoelectrical behavior, as adsorbed oxygen induced 32% lower photoelectrical response compared to that of argon. The noble metal nanoparticles show both electronic and chemical sensitization: functioning as an electron sink resulted in a new band structure of the photocatalyst, and chemically interact with the oxygen and argon adsorbed from the environment. A model is proposed using heterojunctions theory comprising a new induced oxygen potential that may explain the lower photoresponse in the presence of oxygen.

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