Engineering Au single-atom sites embedded in TiO2 nanostructures for boosting photocatalytic methane oxidation†

Photocatalytic methane oxidation under mild conditions using single-atom catalysts remains an advanced technology. In this work, gold single atoms (Au SAs) were introduced onto TiO₂ nanostructures using a simple method. The resulting performance demonstrated effective conversion of methane into H₂ and C₂ products at room temperature. The as-synthesized Au SA/TiO₂ exhibited a high hydrogen production rate of 2190 μmol g⁻¹, with selectivity reaching up to 58% under optimized conditions. The methane oxidation mechanism was investigated, revealing a methyl radical pathway for generating value-added chemicals. This research provides a strategy for photocatalytic methane conversion over single-atom-supported photocatalysts.