Efficient photocatalytic conversion of benzene to phenol on stabilized subnanometer WO3 quantum dots

Abstract

Band engineering with a quantum size effect is proposed to be utilized to design photocatalytic activity for the conversion of organic compounds. Subnanometer WO₃ quantum dots (QDs) are spontaneously produced with the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity in a mesoporous silica matrix by preliminary photochemical dissolution. An appropriate upshift of the conduction band of subnanometer WO₃ QDs stabilized by the coverage with the surface WO bonds promotes the efficient conversion of benzene to phenol without decomposition of the product into CO₂ under ultraviolet illumination.