La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets modified by Pt quantum dots for efficient NO removal avoiding NO₂ secondary pollutant

Two-dimensional La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets with regular morphology and good dispersion were prepared by the hydrothermal method under a magnetic field. Zero-dimensional Pt quantum dots (Pt-QDs) were loaded on the La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets. The electron-hole separation and carrier transfer in the Pt-loaded La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets were significantly enhanced. The La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets loaded with 3 wt% Pt-QDs exhibit the largest NO removal efficiency of 51% and less than 3.2 ppb NO₂ intermediate pollutant in 30 min. The high photocatalytic ability was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance in Pt-QDs and the enhanced electron-hole separation. A large number of e⁻, h⁺, •OH and •O₂⁻ active species were formed on the surface of Pt-loaded La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets under light irradiation. The conversion pathway from NO to NO₃⁻ was verified by the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy and DFT calculation. This work supplies a feasible approach to responsive photocatalysts for efficient, stable, and selective NO removal avoiding the NO₂ secondary pollutant.