New insights into the photocatalytic activity of 3-D core-shell P25@silica nanocomposites: impact of mesoporous coating

In this report, a three-dimensional (3-D) network of core-shell TiO₂ (P25)-mesoporous SiO₂ (P25@mSiO₂) nanocomposites was prepared via a controllable surfactant-assisted sol-gel method. The nanocomposites were investigated for photocatalytic reactions of organic dye degradation, water splitting, and CO₂ reduction to understand the roles of the mSiO₂ shell in these photocatalytic reactions. It was found that the mSiO₂ shell accelerates the photodegradation of the organic dye, but dramatically reduces the photocatalytic activity of P25 in water splitting and CO₂ reduction. The roles played by the mSiO₂ shell in the photocatalytic reactions are summarized as: (1) effective prevention of agglomeration of P25 nanoparticles, (2) facilitating the transfer of uncharged photo-generated OH radicals via the abundant-OH groups on the mesoporous surface, (3) provision of increased reaction sites between OH radicals and dye molecules by its mesoporous nanostructure and large surface area, and (4) prevention of diffusion of the photo-generated charge carriers (photoelectrons and photoholes) because of its insulating nature.