Uniform TiO2–SiO2 hollow nanospheres: Synthesis, characterization and enhanced adsorption–photodegradation of azo dyes and phenol

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-06, Vol.305, p.562-574
• Main Authors: Guo, Na, Liang, Yimai, Lan, Shi, Liu, Lu, Ji, Guijuan, Gan, Shucai, Zou, Haifeng, Xu, Xuechun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Hollow structure; Methylene blue; Photocatalytic activity; Physics; Sol–gel method; TiO2–SiO2
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.03.136

TiO2–SiO2 hollow nanospheres with remarkable enhanced photocatalytic performance have been fabricated by sol–gel method. The prepared photocatalyst displays high photocatalytic activity on methylene blue. And the nanocomposite of TiO2–SiO2 is a promising candidate material for future treatment of contaminated water. •Unique hollow structure of TiO2–SiO2 nanosphere was successfully synthesized via a simple sol–gel method.•The as-synthesized TiO2–SiO2 nanosphere possesses large BET surface area of 1105m2/g, and an average pore diameter of 2.6nm.•The as-prepared samples displayed both high adsorption capability and degradation efficiency of azo dyes and phenol. TiO2–SiO2 hollow nanospheres with remarkable enhanced photocatalytic performance have been fabricated by sol–gel method. The hollow sphere possesses both high phototcatalytic activity and adsorption capability. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XPS, BJH and TGA/DSC. The experiment results show that, the photocatalyst calcined at 500°C with Ti/Si ratio of 5:1 (denoted as 5T/S-500) displayed superiorities in both textural and functional properties with the enhanced degradation efficiency on azo dyes (methylene blue, methyl orange) and phenol. The high adsorption capability of organic poisonous contaminants onto 5T/S-500 in aqueous solution demonstrated that the photocatalyst can remove the contaminants from water effectively even without illumination. The TEM and SEM morphologies demonstrated unique hollow and coarse structure of 5T/S-500. Structural analysis showed that Si was doped into the lattice of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles can work as a surface modifier on TiO2. The surface area of 5T/S-500 is 1105m2/g, 14.5 times as great as that of the pure hollow TiO2 nanosphere, confirms the effect of SiO2 on the improvement of specific surface area. The high photocatalytic activities and high adsorption ability for organic poisonous contaminants demonstrate that the nanocomposite of TiO2–SiO2 is a promising candidate material for future treatment of contaminated water.