Highly photocatalytic activity of brookite/rutile TiO2 nanocrystals with semi-embedded structure

Yanfeng Cao, Xiaoting Li, Zhenfeng Bian, Addis Fuhr, Dieqing Zhang, Jian Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

A facile solvothermal approach was used to prepare brookite-type TiO2 nanocrystals with different phase content and structure, accomplished by adjusting the ratio of TiCl4 to t-BuOH. The obtained biphasic brookite/rutile TiO2 nanocrystals showed a high brookite weight content (72%). The photocatalytic degradation of phenol under UV-irradiation was used to determine the synergetic effect from the combination of different phases (e.g., brookite, anatase, and rutile). The biphasic NST-4 composed of brookite and rutile exhibited the highest degradation rates, with rate constants three times higher than commercial Degussa P-25. Detailed analysis found that, besides phase composition and content, the semi-embedded structure was essential to obtain a superior activity of biphasic TiO2 samples.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)551-558
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume180
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the NSF of China ( 21207090 , 21377088 , 21477079 , 21407106 ), Shanghai Government ( 12nm0504000 , 13ZR1430600 , 14ZZ126 , 14ZR1430800 ), Program from Huo Yingdong Education Foundation ( 142022 ), Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (PCSIRT, IRT1269 ), Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar, 2012-82 , 2013-57 ), and Doctoral Program of Higher Education ( 20123127120009 ).

Keywords

  • Brookite/rutile TiO
  • Photocatalytic activity
  • Semi-embedded structure
  • Solvothermal approach

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