Abstract: | Partially reduced TiO2 nanomaterials have attracted significant interest because of their visible-light activity for catalysis and photodegradation. Herein, we prepared a partially reduced anatase TiO2 (Re-A-TiO2) nanoparticle material using a fast combustion method, demonstrating good activity toward decomposing methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The surface structure of the prepared material, after being surface-selectively 17O-labeled with H217O (17O-enriched water), was studied via 17O and 1H solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and the obtained results were compared to those of non-reduced anatase TiO2 (A-TiO2). The EPR results showed that the concentrations of paramagnetic species (i.e., oxygen vacancies (OV) and Ti3+) in Re-A-TiO2 were much higher than that in A-TiO2, while the former was associated with a higher OV/Ti3+ ratio. The intensities of the EPR signals were significantly affected by the adsorbed water, and this phenomenon was explored in combination with 1H NMR spectroscopy. The 1H species on Re-A-TiO2 appeared at larger chemical shifts, denoting the increased acidity of the sample, and these 1H species on Re-A-TiO2 were more difficult to remove than those on A-TiO2. On the other hand, different features were observed for the signals arising from the two-coordinated oxygen atoms (μ2-O) in 17O NMR, suggesting a typical anatase TiO2(101) surface on A-TiO2, but a more complex surface environment for Re-A-TiO2. Furthermore, a larger amount of hydroxyl groups (OH) were observed on Re-A-TiO2 compared to that on A-TiO2, indicating a larger proportion of exposed (001) facets on Re-A-TiO2. However, the μ2-O signals broadened and became similar when the drying temperature was increased to 100 ℃, indicating a non-faceted anatase TiO2 surface in such conditions. Based on the EPR and NMR results, a significant fraction of the OH species is believed to be formed from the reaction of the paramagnetic centers and adsorbed water molecules. The 1H→17O cross polarization (CP) MAS and two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation (2D HETCOR) NMR spectra were used to verify the spatial proximity of the hydrogen and oxygen species, confirming the spectral assignments of a strongly adsorbed water and one type of surface OH species. In particular, the 1H NMR signals at approximately 11 ppm were ascribed to the hydrogen species in the intramolecular hydrogen bond. In summary, this study investigated the paramagnetic species and surface structure of anatase TiO2 materials by combining EPR along with 1H and 17O solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The differences in the surface structures of Re-A-TiO2 and A-TiO2 should be closely related to their different properties toward the photodegradation of methyl orange. |