Charge‐Directed Photothermal Methane Dry Reforming Enabled by Interfacial TiO <i> <sub>x</sub> </i> Nanodomains

ABSTRACT Photothermal dry reforming of methane (DRM) enables solar‐driven upgrading of CH 4 and CO 2 , yet its efficiency and durability are hindered by carbon deposition and poorly defined photochemical contributions. Here, we demonstrate a charge‐directed photothermal DRM catalyst composed of Rh nanoparticles supported on TiO x ‐functionalized TiC, where interfacial TiO x domains play a critical role by coupling directional photocarrier flow with adaptive oxygen chemistry. Upon illumination, metallic TiC generates charge carriers that transfer electrons to Rh sites while steering holes to TiO x surface oxygens. This charge‐directed interfacial chemistry selectively lowers the barrier for *OCH 3 formation, the potential‐determining step, thus suppressing *CH 3 over‐dehydrogenation and mitigating carbon formation. Concurrently, CO 2 activation at oxygen vacancies within TiO x regions restocks surface oxygens, closing a regenerative photothermal Mars–van Krevelen cycle. As a result, the catalyst delivers high syngas production rates (CO: 17.5 mol g Rh −1 h −1 , H 2 : 10.5 mol g Rh −1 h −1 ), attains a light‐to‐chemical energy efficiency of 29%, and operates stably for over 100 h without coking. This work highlights the mechanistic importance of amorphous TiO x interface in charge‐directed photothermal DRM and provides design insights for developing coking‐resistant reforming catalysts.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-06-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.4126002
Primary Topic
Catalysts for Methane Reforming
Type
article
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article

Charge‐Directed Photothermal Methane Dry Reforming Enabled by Interfacial TiO x Nanodomains

Jiabin Chen, Huabin Zhang, Chengyang Feng, Yidong Hou et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Catalysts for Methane Reforming
article

Charge‐Directed Photothermal Methane Dry Reforming Enabled by Interfacial TiO x Nanodomains

Jiabin Chen, Huabin Zhang, Chengyang Feng, Yidong Hou, Bifang Li, Li Zhang, Sibo Wang, Kunlong Liu, Xiahui Lin, Bo Su
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photothermal dry reforming of methane (DRM) enables solar‐driven upgrading of CH 4 and CO 2 , yet its efficiency and durability are hindered by carbon deposition and poorly defined photochemical contributions. Here, we demonstrate a charge‐directed photothermal DRM catalyst composed of Rh nanoparticles supported on TiO x ‐functionalized TiC, where interfacial TiO x domains play a critical role by coupling directional photocarrier flow with adaptive oxygen chemistry. Upon illumination, metallic TiC generates charge carriers that transfer electrons to Rh sites while steering holes to TiO x surface oxygens. This charge‐directed interfacial chemistry selectively lowers the barrier for *OCH 3 formation, the potential‐determining step, thus suppressing *CH 3 over‐dehydrogenation and mitigating carbon formation. Concurrently, CO 2 activation at oxygen vacancies within TiO x regions restocks surface oxygens, closing a regenerative photothermal Mars–van Krevelen cycle. As a result, the catalyst delivers high syngas production rates (CO: 17.5 mol g Rh −1 h −1 , H 2 : 10.5 mol g Rh −1 h −1 ), attains a light‐to‐chemical energy efficiency of 29%, and operates stably for over 100 h without coking. This work highlights the mechanistic importance of amorphous TiO x interface in charge‐directed photothermal DRM and provides design insights for developing coking‐resistant reforming catalysts.

Angewandte Chemie
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (SA), Fuzhou University (CN)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Catalysts for Methane Reforming
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