Quantum-sized BiVO4 modified TiO2 microflower composite heterostructures: efficient production of hydroxyl radicals towards visible light-driven degradation of gaseous toluene

In an effort to develop visible-light-driven heterostructured photocatalysts with high activity, a novel quantum-sized tubelike BiVO4 sensitized TiO2 microflower catalytic system was successfully fabricated by using a facile hydrothermal and ultrasonic adhering approach. The structural and optical p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2015-01, Vol.3 (43), p.21655-21663
Main Authors: Sun, Juanjuan, Li, Xinyong, Zhao, Qidong, Tade, Moses O, Liu, Shaomin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Catalytic activity
Degradation
Hydroxyl radicals
Nanostructure
Photocatalysis
Separation
Titanium dioxide
Toluene
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Summary:In an effort to develop visible-light-driven heterostructured photocatalysts with high activity, a novel quantum-sized tubelike BiVO4 sensitized TiO2 microflower catalytic system was successfully fabricated by using a facile hydrothermal and ultrasonic adhering approach. The structural and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were comparatively characterized. The staggered band structure of quantum-sized BiVO4 decorated TiO2 not only extended the photo-response range but also promoted photoexcited charges transfer and separation. Photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were examined by the degradation of toluene under visible light irradiation ( lambda > 400 nm). Compared to the individual TiO2 microflower, BiVO4 quantum tube, BiVO4 nanoparticle and nano-BiVO4/TiO2, the quantum-BiVO4/TiO2 (Q-BiVO4/TiO2) composite exhibited higher photo activities. Electron spin resonance (ESR) examinations confirmed the generation of the photo-induced reactive oxygen species (&z.rad; OH and &z.rad; O2-) which were involved in the photocatalytic process of Q-BiVO4/TiO2 composites. Furthermore, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Q-BiVO4/TiO2 composite mainly originated from the high separation efficiency of photo-induced electron-hole pairs and the efficient production of hydroxyl radicals. A detailed mechanism accounting for the superior photocatalytic activity was proposed in terms of the energy band structures of the components.
ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/c5ta05659d