Porous Layered TMD Catalyst via Silica Template for Visible Light Oxidation

The patent introduces a porous structure into the TMD material by incorporating silica microspheres as templates during synthesis. After removing the silica microspheres, a porous architecture with high surface area and exposed lattice edges is formed. This porous structure prevents the material from forming closed lamellar or nanotube topographies, thereby maintaining high lattice edge exposure while ensuring material stability through the controlled porous framework.

Silica microspheres are used as intermediary template structures during the synthesis process. These microspheres act as sacrificial templates that guide the formation of TMD layers around them. After synthesis, the silica microspheres are removed, leaving behind a porous structure with exposed lattice edges. The intermediary template approach allows control over the final morphology without directly forming the desired structure in one step.

The patent creates a porous TMD structure that prevents the formation of stable but catalytically inactive lamellar topography. The porous architecture with exposed edges provides abundant active sites for catalysis while maintaining structural stability. The high surface area to volume ratio of the porous structure directly enhances catalytic activity compared to closed lamellar forms.

The patent creates local variations in the TMD structure by exposing lattice edges at specific locations within the porous framework. Rather than forming uniform closed lamellae, the structure develops localized edge sites with high catalytic activity distributed throughout the material. This local quality approach ensures that catalytically active regions are maximized while maintaining overall structural integrity.

The porous structure created by removing silica microspheres exposes lattice edges with unsaturated atomic bonds. These undercoordinated atoms at the edges and pores have different electronic structures compared to bulk atoms, creating states that are more responsive to visible light irradiation. The porous architecture thus provides pathways for visible light activation while maintaining the stability of the bulk TMD structure.

The patent changes the structural parameters of TMD by creating a porous architecture with exposed edges. This structural modification alters the electronic band structure and creates defect states that enable visible light absorption. The parameter change from closed lamellar to porous open structure transforms the material's optical properties, enabling photocatalytic activity under visible light while preserving structural stability.