A novel ternary Mica/TiO2/Fe2O3 composite pearlescent pigment for the photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Chemistry., 2020-09, Vol.400, p.112617, Article 112617
• Main Authors: Fang, Xiangming, Lu, Guanhong, Mahmood, Asad, Tang, Zhihong, Liu, Ziwei, Zhang, Linlin, Wang, Yan, Sun, Jing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fe2O3; Gaseous acetaldehyde; Mica-titania pigment; Photocatalytic composite pearlescent pigment
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.112617

•A novel ternary pearlescent composite is fabricated to photodegrade VOCs.•MTF-1.5 composite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability.•Superoxide radicals play a major role in the photodegradation.•The composite pearlescent pigment is expected to purify indoor air as paint additive. A novel ternary mica/TiO2/Fe2O3 composite pearlescent pigment has been designed for the photocatalytic oxidation of gas-phase acetaldehyde in the application of indoor air purification. The mica/TiO2/Fe2O3-x (MTF-x, x = mFe2O3 : mTiO2 = 0.5–2: 100) composites were synthesized by a sol-gel assisted hydrothermal method. The MTF-1.5 composite shows optimal photocatalytic performance, which is 1.8 times photodegradation efficiency and 2.2 times CO2 mineralization efficiency higher than those of pure TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of MTF-x (x = 0.5–2) composites could be associated with enhanced reflectivity of mica, which eventually improved the light absorption properties. Also, the presence of TiO2/Fe2O3 heterostructure facilitated charge separation in the MTF ternary composite. Besides, superoxide radical was proven as the decisive active species for the degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde. This work provides a systematic approach to develop a potential multi-functional pearlescent pigment to purify indoor air.