Tuning the Pt species on Nb2O5 by support-induced modification in the photocatalytic transfer hydrogenation of phenylacetylene

Herein, we reported the tuning of dominant products in the photocatalytic hydrogen transfer reaction over Pt/Nb2O5 photocatalysts, using a support-induced modification strategy. In the photocatalytic conversion of phenylacetylene with ethanol as a probe reaction, the dominant product was styrene over Pt/2D Nb2O5 nanoplates; in contrast, H2 was the main product over the Pt/bulk Nb2O5. Compared to the metallic Pt species over bulk Nb2O5, the positively charged Pt (Ptδ+) species over 2D Nb2O5 nanoplates contributed to the reduction of phenylacetylene, which was revealed by CO adsorbed Fourier transform infrared spectra. Furthermore, the present Ptδ+ species were due to the formation of Ptδ+–O–Nb structure via oxygen transfer of 2D Nb2O5 nanoplates, which was verified by the results of X-ray photoelectron spectra and H2 temperature-programmed reduction. This work sheds light on the design and application of Nb-based catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of organics in photocatalysis.