Probing the Surface Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Catechols on TiO2 by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

The local structure of the TiO 2 surface modified with electron-donating bidentate ligands, such as catechols, has been investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The adsorption and degradation processes of catechols at the TiO 2 surface were observed. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of catechols at the TiO 2 surface was interpreted in terms of the interfacial charge recombination reaction with conduction band electrons.