Benchmarking the Catalytic Performance of Rutile via Crystallinity Engineering in Au/TiO₂-Catalyzed H₂O₂...

Photocatalytic production of H₂O₂ is a promising and green alternative to industrial processes. In the last few decades, TiO₂-based photocatalysts have been extensively explored in reactions, leading to the development of various modification strategies for better performance. However, rutile-phase TiO₂ materials are largely overlooked because of assumed lower activity compared to that of anatase and heterophase TiO₂. Herein, we report a systematic comparison of H₂O₂ photogeneration efficiencies over rutile-phase TiO₂ materials with continuously tuned crystallinities. Under the present reaction conditions, the optimized rutile sample exhibited higher H₂O₂ photoproduction activity in comparison to that of the tested commercial P25 and commercial anatase references. Besides, Au particles with 6 nm diameter and a narrow size distribution are found to be better cocatalysts. This work provides novel perspectives for the rational design of effective photocatalysts, highlighting the critical role of generalized model material systems.