The first step in photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is the adsorption and activation of CO2 on the surface of the catalyst. The surfaces of titania nanomaterials contain many sites which can differ in titanium coordination number and Lewis acidity or basicity. This heterogeneity can lead to several different species of adsorbed CO2 including carbonates, bicarbonates, and carboxylates. FT-IR experiments have demonstrated that the distribution of these species can be altered by pretreatment of the surface in oxidizing or reducing conditions. Our work explores the idea that differences in surface binding may influence reaction pathway and the relative production of CO and CH4. Using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique, we quantitatively probe adsorption and reaction under controlled reaction conditions and explore the role of under coordinated titanium sites, oxygen vacancies, and titania-co-catalyst interfaces on these processes.

CO<sub>2</sub> binding on titania nanostructures

245th National Meeting (2013)

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CO2 binding on titania nanostructures

CO₂ binding on titania nanostructures