Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 Over Me (Pt, Pd, Ni, Cu)/TiO2 Catalysts

A series of TiO2 photocatalysts loaded with various metals (Pt, Pd, Ni, and Cu) were prepared by using the wet impregnation method. Their physicochemical properties were studied by using XRD, BET, TPR-H2, FTIR and TPD-NH3/CO2 techniques. The photocatalytic activity of samples was investigated in the gas-phase reduction of carbon dioxide under continuous flow operation mode. Among all investigated catalysts, the Pt and Ni were the most active in terms of the formation rate of methanol. In general, the photocatalytic activity of modified TiO2 decreased with increasing metal loading and reaction time. The reversible deactivation of photocatalysts was associated with the covering of TiO2 surface by the reaction products.