Several mechanisms associated with heterogeneous photocatalysis may be elucidated using X-ray irradiation of nanomaterials. One phenomenon is the impact of high density of electron-hole pairs created in the nanostructures due to limited penetration of light into the highly scattering nanocatalysts. With X-rays, the penetration depth is much higher. Another process that may negatively impact heterogeneous photocatalysis is the recombination of electron-hole pairs. With ionizing radiation such as X-rays, the electron-hole pairs may be separated by the intrinsic charges accumulated on the X-ray absorbing nanoparticles, which are in contact with nanoparticle catalysts. Using copper decorated titania nanoparticles as catalysts for reduction of carbon dioxide as the model reaction, these two processes are investigated and results will be presented.

X-ray assisted heterogeneous catalysis

252nd National Meeting (2016)

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