Exploring Oxygen Defects in TiO2–x for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction: A Comprehensive Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment

A comprehensive laboratory experiment is specifically designed for advanced undergraduate students pursuing degrees in energy, environmental studies, chemistry, or materials science. The goal of this experiment is to deepen their understanding of oxygen defects in photocatalysis while raising their environmental awareness. This hands-on experience enables students to learn the construction of oxygen-deficient TiO2–x and the use of various instruments. Furthermore, the experiment involves in-depth studies and discussions on the characterization of oxygen vacancies and their promoting mechanisms in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. This is achieved through the use of various characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman, EPR, XPS, UV–vis, and PL spectroscopy. These activities enable students to gain a thorough understanding of the relationships among the preparation, structure, and activity of oxygen defects in TiO2–x photocatalysts. Importantly, it indicates that this experiment not only cultivates students’ practical skills and research interests but also improves the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods.