Modulating the exposed facets of CeO2 nanorods by MoO42– inducing to promote low-temperature photothermocatalytic toluene combustion

Photothermocatalysis is a synergetic process with the participation of both thermal and light energies, and ceria is a promising candidate as photothermocatalysts for VOCs combustion. Nevertheless, how its exposed facets affect the photothermocatalytic activity remains dubious, since suitable facet control strategies are scarce. Herein, we exploit a “MoO42– inducing” method to modulate the exposed facets of CeO2 nanorods from (111) to (100) facet, and the effect of exposed facets on toluene combustion is systematically investigated. As compared to CeO2 nanorods with only the (111) facet, CeO2 nanorods with the (100) and (111) facets have more reducible Ce4+ and edge/corner defect-derived Ce3+ with stronger ability to capture O2, thereby leading to the higher thermocatalytic activity for toluene combustion; The Ce–O bonds at the (100) facet are more easily photoactivated, which is responsible for the more significant activity enhancement upon participation of both thermal and light energies. Additionally, in situ FTIR analysis shows that photothermocatalytic toluene combustion over ceria probably follows the process: toluene→ benzyl alcohol → benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, aliphatic aldehyde/acid→ anhydride → carbonate →CO2 and H2O. The work supplies new insight into correlation between ceria exposed facets and photothermocatalytic activity. •The exposed facets of CeO2 nanorods were successfully modulated from {111} to {001} facets by MoO42- inducing.•The (100) facet is more easily photoactivated due to the presence of edge and corner defects.•Photothermocatalytic toluene oxidation process was explored by in situ FTIR.