Bi2O3 quantum dots decorated anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with exposed {0 0 1} facets on graphene sheets for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

Authors: Jungang Hou, Chao Yang, Zheng Wang, Shuqiang Jiao, Hongmin Zhu

Abstract:
Due to its great importance in fundamental research and practical applications, tailored synthesis of anatase TiO₂ dominated with highly energetic {0 0 1} facets has attracted extensive interest. Here, Bi₂O₃ quantum dots decorated anatase TiO₂ with exposed {0 0 1} high energy facets had been firstly prepared on graphene sheets by a simple and feasible strategy using the hydrofluoric acid. During the synthesis process, TiO₂ nanosheets were homogeneously decorated with surface enrichment of Bi₂O₃ quantum dots and graphene was uniformly covered with a large number of Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ composites. The morphologies, structural properties and photocatalytic performance of the resultant Bi₂O₃/TiO₂/graphene composites were investigated and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and photoluminescence spectra. A certain amount of Bi₂O₃ quantum dots coating on TiO₂ nanosheets exhibited significant improvement in photocatalytic degradation of the azo dye Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation than TiO₂ nanosheets, which could be attributed to the extending spectral response from UV to visible area, the enhanced photosensitizing effect of the surface enriched Bi₂O₃ quantum dots and the strong interaction between Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂. Furthermore, the Bi₂O₃/TiO₂/graphene hybrids could be used as a stable photocatalyst for the highest photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B degradation, which is ascribed predominantly to the efficient reduction of electron–hole pair recombination in the heterostructures. This investigation likely opens up new possibilities for the development of highly efficient TiO₂ based photocatalysts that utilize visible-light as an energy source. 

Keywords:
Bi₂O₃ quantum dots
TiO₂ nanosheets
Graphene
Visible light photocatalyst
Degradation

Published in: Applied catalysis B: Environmental  (Volume 129, Pages 1-614, 17 January 2013)

Publisher: Elsevier  

ISSN Information: 0926-3373

Bi2O3 quantum dots decorated anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with exposed {0 0 1} facets on graphene sheets for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

Bình luận của bạn

*

*

*

*

 Captcha

Gửi bình luận nhập lại