One-pot synthesis of peroxo-titania nanopowder and dual photochemical oxidation in aqueous methanol solution

A sol–gel hydrothermal method was developed to synthesize peroxo-titania powders and their photooxidation performances were conducted in aqueous methanol solution under visible light irradiation. Three kinds of peroxo-titania were developed using TiO 2 and H 2O 2 containing precursor sol with different dispersion mediums such as NH 3 aq NaOH aq, or pure water. Peroxo-titania powder prepared with NH 3 aq showed highest photooxidation activity. Moreover, we found unique photofunctional properties: together with formaldehyde production, the photo-excited electron also triggers oxygen evolution, although by TiO 2 (Degussa P-25) photocatalysis H 2 evolution was observed from the same solution. Peroxo-titania powder catalyst synthesized in ammoniac solution showed high oxygen evolution under visible light irradiation. We have disclosed dual photofunctional properties: together with formaldehyde production, the photo-excited electron also triggers oxygen evolution.