TiO2 Photocatalyst with Engineered Defect Sites for Stable Single Atom Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current strategies for depositing single atom catalysts on substrates often result in unstable mixtures of single atoms and clusters due to uncontrolled defect sites, leading to degradation of catalyst structure and activity, necessitating new platforms for scalable and stable single atom catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A photocatalyst comprising TiO2 ultra-nanoparticles with engineered defects such as single Fe, Co, Mn, or W atoms, where a single metal catalyst atom is bound proximally in a positive oxidation state, is generated and photodeposited to create a stable and active catalyst.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If single atom catalysts are deposited on substrate using conventional strategies, then catalyst activity is improved, but catalyst stability deteriorates due to uncontrolled defect sites causing agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces engineered defect sites with specific local chemical environments and geometries on the TiO2 surface. These defect sites are designed to provide uniform anchoring positions for single metal atoms, creating localized regions with controlled properties that prevent agglomeration while maintaining high catalytic activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes engineered defect sites on the TiO2 substrate before depositing metal atoms. This preliminary creation of controlled defect structures ensures that when metal atoms are introduced, they have predetermined stable positions to occupy, preventing random aggregation and ensuring uniform distribution across the catalyst surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single atom catalysts are deposited on substrate, then catalytic selectivity is improved, but manufacturing control deteriorates due to uncontrolled and nonuniform defect sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates defect sites with specific local characteristics including particular coordination environments, geometries, and electronic structures. These engineered defects provide uniform and controlled anchoring positions that ensure consistent metal atom placement, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining the selectivity benefits of single-atom catalysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically controls key parameters of the defect sites including their chemical composition, geometric configuration, and electronic properties. By precisely adjusting these parameters during the defect engineering process, the patent achieves uniform defect structures that enable both high catalytic selectivity and reproducible manufacturing.
3Productivity
If single atom catalysts are deposited on substrate, then catalyst efficiency is improved, but long-term durability deteriorates due to mixture of stable single atoms and labile clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-creates engineered defect sites with high binding energy and stable chemical environments before introducing metal atoms. This preliminary preparation ensures that metal atoms are immediately anchored in stable positions upon deposition, preventing the formation of labile clusters and ensuring long-term structural stability that maintains catalyst efficiency over extended operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs defect sites with specific local properties including optimal coordination numbers, geometric configurations, and electronic structures that provide strong anchoring for metal atoms. These locally optimized defect environments ensure both high initial catalytic efficiency and long-term stability by preventing metal atom migration and aggregation during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting photocatalyst exhibits enhanced oxidation reactivity and stability, with a 10-20 times greater photoefficiency than control samples, maintaining activity even in the presence of chloride ions and avoiding metallic Pt formation.
Implementation Method 1
photodepositing a single metal catalyst atom proximal to the single Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, or W atom for at least a portion of the plurality of ultra-nano TiO2 particles
Implementation Method 2
The resulting photocatalyst exhibits enhanced oxidation reactivity and stability, with a 10-20 times greater photoefficiency than control samples
Data Source
AI summary
Photocatalysts and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The photocatalyst includes a TIO2 ultra-nanoparticle having a single Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, or W atom positioned as an engineered defect within the particle and a single metal catalyst atom bound proximal to the single Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, or W atom. The method of making the photocatalyst includes generating a plurality of ultra-nano TIO2 particles, each having a single Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, or W atom positioned as an engineered defect within the particle. The method further includes photodepositing a single metal catalyst atom proximal to the single Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, or W atom for at least a portion of the ultra-nano TIO2 particles, thereby creating the disclosed photocatalyst. The single metal catalyst atom is in a positive oxidation state and can be Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, Os, Re, Au, Ni, Zn, or Cu.