Retracted Article: Synthesis of atomic form nickel co-catalysts on TiO2 for improved photocatalysis via the RAFT technique

Abstract

Using the high incompatibility between the neutral stabilizer body and the block polyelectrolyte to drive phase separation during polymerization-induced self-assembly, a modular approach to systematically adjust ionic monomer/polymer solubility was developed to effectively identify monomers suitable for RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization, with strong phase separation ability to form worm phases over a wide range of compositions and even at very low solid content. The block copolymer PMPS-MPS-P([META⁺][PF₆⁻]), prepared by this method, acts as a “nano bridge” and achieves Ni loading on TiO₂ with the help of the sol–gel method + thermal reduction. The atomic loading of Ni on TiO₂ is achieved through strong covalent bonding, metallic bonding and the natural physical intertwining effect of the silane coupling agent. Interestingly, it was unexpectedly found that the TiC stable structure generated by this process, the ionization of part of the block polyelectrolyte after the thermal reduction treatment at 773 K and the loading process of Ni all can promote the formation of oxygen vacancy Ov, which facilitates the charge transfer and hydrogen precipitation reaction. It has superior photocatalytic ability and cheaper cost compared to the conventional impregnation dispersion method. These findings provide a new idea to modify the manipulated photocatalysts by defect engineering to achieve efficient photocatalytic efficiency and capability.