Influence of the Semiconductor Support on the Electronic Structure and Reactivity of Pt in Photocatalysis
Researchers from the Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology at the National Institute of Chemistry, in collaboration with the University of Nova Gorica and the HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research (Hungary), have shown that the functionality of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles in photocatalysis is not universal but is determined by the semiconductor support.
By systematically comparing TiO2 and g-C3N4 materials and depositing identical Pt loading (1 wt.%) using the same synthesis protocol, the study isolated the effect of interfacial electronic structure on catalytic performance. Advanced spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisation revealed that Pt remains predominantly metallic on TiO2, efficiently generating reactive oxygen species under visible-light irradiation. In contrast, strong metal-support interactions on g-C3N4 stabilise mixed Pt0/Pt2+ species and redirect charge-transfer pathways and oxidation mechanisms.
These findings confirm that catalytic performance is defined by the metal-semiconductor interface, providing a rational framework for designing advanced photocatalytic systems for environmental remediation.
More information: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.174635
Contact: gregor.zerjav(at)ki.si