Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and plasmonic Au nanoparticles in anatase-brookite TiO2 for efficient solar-driven 2-methylbenzimidazole and hydrogen Co-production. / Банеманн, Детлеф Вернер; El-Hosainy, Hamza M.; Esmat, Mohamed ; El-Sheikh, Said M.; Hakki, Amer; Doustkhah, Esmail ; Tahawy, Rafat ; Ismail, Adel A.; El-Bery, Haitham M. ; Jevasuwan, Wipakorn ; Fukata, Naoki ; Ide, Yusuke ; El-Kemary, Maged .
In: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 295, 113973, 15.01.2026.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and plasmonic Au nanoparticles in anatase-brookite TiO2 for efficient solar-driven 2-methylbenzimidazole and hydrogen Co-production
AU - Банеманн, Детлеф Вернер
AU - El-Hosainy, Hamza M.
AU - Esmat, Mohamed
AU - El-Sheikh, Said M.
AU - Hakki, Amer
AU - Doustkhah, Esmail
AU - Tahawy, Rafat
AU - Ismail, Adel A.
AU - El-Bery, Haitham M.
AU - Jevasuwan, Wipakorn
AU - Fukata, Naoki
AU - Ide, Yusuke
AU - El-Kemary, Maged
PY - 2026/1/15
Y1 - 2026/1/15
N2 - In this study, TiO2 heterostructures with anatase and brookite phases, as well as oxygen vacancies, were synthesized using a modified sol-gel method and a heat treatment process. Subsequently, Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were deposited onto TiO2 through photo-deposition. Detailed structural and chemical analyses verified the successful creation of anatase-brookite phases, efficient incorporation of Au NPs, and strong interactions between the Au NPs and the oxygen vacancies on the TiO2 surface. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from the Au NPs, indicating enhanced light absorption properties. The photocatalytic efficiency of the Au-TiO2 composites was evaluated under solar light irradiation for the conversion of o-phenylenediamine to 2-methylbenzimidazole and hydrogen (H2) production. Notably, the 2 %Au-TiO2 catalyst achieved a remarkable 99.7 % conversion rate of o phenylenediamine, with 90 % selectivity toward 2-methylbenzimidazole and the highest H2 production rate within 9 h, significantly outperforming 2 % Au/UV100 (commercial TiO2), 2 % Pd/TiO2, and pure TiO2. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to increased surface acidity (from both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites), efficient charge separation, increased photocurrent, reduced charge transfer resistance and the synergistic interactions between Au NPs and surface oxygen vacancies in TiO2. These findings highlight the potential of Au-TiO2 heterostructures for advancing solar-driven catalytic applications, promoting both clean energy generation and efficient organictransformations.
AB - In this study, TiO2 heterostructures with anatase and brookite phases, as well as oxygen vacancies, were synthesized using a modified sol-gel method and a heat treatment process. Subsequently, Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were deposited onto TiO2 through photo-deposition. Detailed structural and chemical analyses verified the successful creation of anatase-brookite phases, efficient incorporation of Au NPs, and strong interactions between the Au NPs and the oxygen vacancies on the TiO2 surface. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from the Au NPs, indicating enhanced light absorption properties. The photocatalytic efficiency of the Au-TiO2 composites was evaluated under solar light irradiation for the conversion of o-phenylenediamine to 2-methylbenzimidazole and hydrogen (H2) production. Notably, the 2 %Au-TiO2 catalyst achieved a remarkable 99.7 % conversion rate of o phenylenediamine, with 90 % selectivity toward 2-methylbenzimidazole and the highest H2 production rate within 9 h, significantly outperforming 2 % Au/UV100 (commercial TiO2), 2 % Pd/TiO2, and pure TiO2. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to increased surface acidity (from both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites), efficient charge separation, increased photocurrent, reduced charge transfer resistance and the synergistic interactions between Au NPs and surface oxygen vacancies in TiO2. These findings highlight the potential of Au-TiO2 heterostructures for advancing solar-driven catalytic applications, promoting both clean energy generation and efficient organictransformations.
KW - Oxygen vacancies
KW - Au NPs
KW - Anatase-brookite
KW - Solar-driven
KW - Hydrogen
KW - 2-methylbenzimidazole
KW - 2-methylbenzimidazole
KW - Anatase-brookite
KW - Au NPs
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Oxygen vacancies
KW - Solar-driven
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/2a6bfa8f-929f-3e28-b2a3-40152c7f64b7/
U2 - 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113973
DO - 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113973
M3 - Article
VL - 295
JO - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
JF - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
SN - 0927-0248
M1 - 113973
ER -
ID: 143366098