Understanding the chemical and electronic properties of sub-monolayer TiO2 on high surface area silica for jet fuel synthesis applications

Isaacs, Mark A., Drivas, Charalampos, Graf, Arthur, Kroon, Sasha, Kumar, Santosh, Liu, Junxi, Torres-Lopez, Antonio, Price, Cameron, Garland, Edward, Lezcano-Gonzalez, Ines, Parlett, Christopher. M. A., Santos-Durndell, Vannia C. dos and Durndell, Lee J. 2025. Understanding the chemical and electronic properties of sub-monolayer TiO2 on high surface area silica for jet fuel synthesis applications. Advanced Functional Materials , e02818. 10.1002/adfm.202502818

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Abstract

2.5% of global carbon emissions result from air travel, underscoring the need for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) derived from second-generation lignocellulosic biomass to enhance the green credentials of the aviation sector. This study demonstrates the first solvent-free photocatalytic conversion of furfural (FAL) and cyclopentanone (CPO) to produce 2,5-bis(2-furylmethylidene)cyclopentanone (F2Cp), a jet fuel precursor, using Ti-SBA-15 catalysts, synthesized via alkoxide grafting and controlled titanium surface coverage. Sub-monolayer titania films on SBA-15 supports are achieved with tuneable Ti content, confirmed by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), UPS (ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy), REELS (reflectance electron energy loss spectroscopy), ISS (ion scattering spectroscopy), and Raman analysis. XPS analyses reveal coverage-dependent Ti speciation, transitioning from isolated Ti atoms to interconnected Ti-O-Ti networks, with corresponding shifts in Auger parameters, indicating increased surface polarizability and Lewis acidity. Optimized Ti-SBA-15 catalysts exhibit a fourfold activity enhancement in photocatalytic activity over bulk TiO₂, attributed to improved mass transport, active site accessibility, and surface stability. This work highlights the potential of rationally designed hierarchical catalysts for scalable, energy-efficient biomass valorization into SAF precursors, offering a scalable, energy-efficient pathway for sustainable jet fuel production. By elucidating the structure-function relationships in sub-monolayer Ti-SBA-15 materials, this study provides critical insights for advancing photocatalytic technologies in renewable energy applications.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Chemistry Research Institutes & Centres > Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1616-301X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	29 July 2025
Date of Acceptance:	1 July 2025
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2025 09:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180067

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