Improving the photocatalytic reduction of CO2to CO through immobilisation of a molecular Re catalyst on TiO2

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Christopher D. Windle - , University of Cambridge, University of York (Author)
  • Ernest Pastor - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Anna Reynal - , Imperial College London, Newcastle University (Author)
  • Adrian C. Whitwood - , University of York (Author)
  • Yana Vaynzof - , University of Cambridge, Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • James R. Durrant - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Robin N. Perutz - , University of York (Author)
  • Erwin Reisner - , University of Cambridge (Author)

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity of phosphonated Re complexes, [Re(2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-bisphosphonic acid) (CO)3(L)] (ReP; L=3-picoline or bromide) immobilised on TiO2 nanoparticles is reported. The heterogenised Re catalyst on the semiconductor, ReP-TiO2 hybrid, displays an improvement in CO2 reduction photocatalysis. A high turnover number (TON) of 48 molCOmolRe-1 is observed in DMF with the electron donor triethanolamine at λ>420 nm. ReP-TiO2 compares favourably to previously reported homogeneous systems and is the highest TON reported to date for a CO2-reducing Re photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is even observed with ReP-TiO2 at wavelengths of λ>495 nm. Infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies confirm that an intact ReP catalyst is present on the TiO2 surface before and during catalysis. Transient absorption spectroscopy suggests that the high activity upon heterogenisation is due to an increase in the lifetime of the immobilised anionic Re intermediate (t50%>1 s for ReP-TiO2 compared with t50%=60 ms for ReP in solution) and immobilisation might also reduce the formation of inactive Re dimers. This study demonstrates that the activity of a homogeneous photocatalyst can be improved through immobilisation on a metal oxide surface by favourably modifying its photochemical kinetics.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3746-3754
Number of pages9
JournalChemistry - A European Journal
Volume21
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2015
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • CO reduction, Heterogeneous catalysis, Immobilisation, Photocatalysis, Time-resolved spectroscopy