Face-Rich Au Nanoparticles Govern the Size Dependence of Photocatalytic Methane Coupling on TiO 2

Key Points

• This study aims to explore how the size of gold nanoparticles affects photocatalytic methane coupling on TiO2.
• Synthesis of Au/TiO2 photocatalysts with varying Au nanoparticle sizes.
• Conducting photocatalytic experiments to measure methane coupling rates.
• Employing structural and spectroscopic analyses for characterization.
• Achieved a maximum methane coupling rate of 14.9 mmol g−1 h−1.
• Observed a selectivity of 89.1% near Au sizes of 7.8 nm.
• Found a rise-to-plateau trend in activity depending on nanoparticle size.