Fluorine‐Induced Surface Metallization for Ammonia Synthesis under Photoexcitation up to 1550 nm. Issue 20 (9th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fu, Rong; Wu, Zewen; Pan, Ziye; Gao, Zhuoyang; Li, Zhen; Kong, Xianghua; Li, Lu
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 20(2021)
• Page Start: 11173
• Page End: 11179
• Publication Date: 2021-04-09
• Subjects: ammonia synthesis -- F-TiO2−x -- metallization -- ohmic contacts -- photocatalysis; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202100572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The first observation of surface metallization of TiO2− x induced by fluoride ions is presented. The emerging metallic states are contributed by the 3d orbital of surface Ti and the 2p orbital of surface bridging F, which are intrinsically originated from the strong electron repulsion between F − and adjacent Ti 3+ . The metalized TiO2− x with reduced work function and downward band bending possesses high electron‐donating power to supported Ru species via atomic‐scale ohmic contacts, exhibiting unprecedented photocatalytic performances for ammonia synthesis across the entire solar spectrum region (200–1550 nm) at room temperature. Mechanism and kinetic analysis revealed that the loaded Ru could behave as efficient electron sinks to accumulate photogenerated electrons and that the metallic surface markedly enhanced the dissociation of H2 and N2 by the hot electrons generated by the visible or even infrared light irradiation. Abstract : The surface metallization of TiO2− x was achieved through the bonding between surface terminal Ti‐F groups and adjacent Ti 3+ . The metalized TiO2 with reduced work function and downward band bending possesses high electron‐donating power to supported Ru species via atomic‐scale ohmic contacts, exhibiting superior photocatalytic performances for ammonia synthesis across the entire solar spectrum region.