Surface-Enriched Boron-Doped TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts for Propene Oxidation
Laura Cano-Casanova, Alejandro Ansón‐Casaos, Javier Hernández‐Ferrer, Ana M. Benito, Wolfgang K. Maser, N. Garro, M.A. Lillo-Ródenas, M.C. Román-Martı́nez
Abstract
occurs in samples with high boron loading, also confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The best-performing photocatalysts are those with the lowest boron loading. Their high activity, outperforming the equivalent sample without boron, can be attributed to a high anatase and surface hydroxyl group content and efficient photo-charge separation (photoelectrochemical characterization, PEC), which can explain the suppression of visible photoluminescence (PL). Crystallization at 450 °C renders the most active sample, likely due to the development of a pure anatase structure with a large surface boron enrichment. A shift in the wavelength-dependent activity profile (PEC data) and the lowest electron-hole recombination rate (PL data) are also observed for this sample.