Probing redox photocatalysis of trapped electrons and holes on single Sb-doped titania nanorod surfaces

We used a fluorogenic reaction to study in conjunction the photocatalytic properties for both active sites (trapped photogenerated electrons and holes) on individual Sb-doped TiO ₂ nanorods with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. It was found that active sites around trapped holes show higher activity, stronger binding ability, and a different dissociation mechanism for the same substrate and product molecules in comparison with the active sites around trapped electrons. These differences could be elucidated by a model involving the charged microenvironments around the active sites.