Abstract:

Partially reduced TiO₂ nanomaterials have attracted significant interest because of their visible-light activity for catalysis and photodegradation. Herein, we prepared a partially reduced anatase TiO₂ (Re-A-TiO₂) nanoparticle material using a fast combustion method, demonstrating good activity toward decomposing methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The surface structure of the prepared material, after being surface-selectively ¹⁷O-labeled with H₂¹⁷O (¹⁷O-enriched water), was studied via ¹⁷O and ¹H solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and the obtained results were compared to those of non-reduced anatase TiO₂ (A-TiO₂). The EPR results showed that the concentrations of paramagnetic species (i.e., oxygen vacancies (OV) and Ti³⁺) in Re-A-TiO₂ were much higher than that in A-TiO₂, while the former was associated with a higher OV/Ti³⁺ ratio. The intensities of the EPR signals were significantly affected by the adsorbed water, and this phenomenon was explored in combination with ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The ¹H species on Re-A-TiO₂ appeared at larger chemical shifts, denoting the increased acidity of the sample, and these ¹H species on Re-A-TiO₂ were more difficult to remove than those on A-TiO₂. On the other hand, different features were observed for the signals arising from the two-coordinated oxygen atoms (μ₂-O) in ¹⁷O NMR, suggesting a typical anatase TiO₂(101) surface on A-TiO₂, but a more complex surface environment for Re-A-TiO₂. Furthermore, a larger amount of hydroxyl groups (OH) were observed on Re-A-TiO₂ compared to that on A-TiO₂, indicating a larger proportion of exposed (001) facets on Re-A-TiO₂. However, the μ₂-O signals broadened and became similar when the drying temperature was increased to 100 ℃, indicating a non-faceted anatase TiO₂ surface in such conditions. Based on the EPR and NMR results, a significant fraction of the OH species is believed to be formed from the reaction of the paramagnetic centers and adsorbed water molecules. The ¹H→¹⁷O cross polarization (CP) MAS and two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation (2D HETCOR) NMR spectra were used to verify the spatial proximity of the hydrogen and oxygen species, confirming the spectral assignments of a strongly adsorbed water and one type of surface OH species. In particular, the ¹H NMR signals at approximately 11 ppm were ascribed to the hydrogen species in the intramolecular hydrogen bond. In summary, this study investigated the paramagnetic species and surface structure of anatase TiO₂ materials by combining EPR along with ¹H and ¹⁷O solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The differences in the surface structures of Re-A-TiO₂ and A-TiO₂ should be closely related to their different properties toward the photodegradation of methyl orange.

Key words: Partially reduced TiO₂, Solid-state NMR, ¹⁷O NMR spectrum, ¹H NMR spectrum, EPR, Hydroxyl group, Hydrogen bond, Visible light degradation