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

The local structure of the TiO₂ 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 TiO₂ surface were observed. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of catechols at the TiO₂ surface was interpreted in terms of the interfacial charge recombination reaction with conduction band electrons.