Work

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity of N-doped C/Na2Ti6O13/TiO2 hollow spheres for efficient dye degradation

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Doping and hybridization with other semiconductors are highly effective ways to address the limitations, including their weak response to visible light and significant recombination of photogenerated carriers. In addition, the assisted carbon on the catalyst surface and the structural design have the advantage of being catalytically active. Herein, visible-light-active N-doped C/Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 /TiO 2 hollow spheres (denoted as N–C/NTO/TiO 2 HS) were successfully prepared using a facile two-step method and evaluated for methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution degradation under visible-light irradiation. The as-obtained N–C/NTO/TiO 2 HS demonstrated improved photocatalytic efficiency (94 %) and pseudo-first-order kinetic degradation rate (0.023 min −1 ). Moreover, after three cycles of testing, N–C/NTO/TiO 2 HS showed a 91 % degradation rate in its photostability. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was attributed to the combined effects of N-doping, carbon species on the surface, and the coupling of TiO 2 and Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 using morphology engineering. Finally, based on the experimental results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. This study provides a rational approach toward the development of high-performance titanate-based photocatalysts for solar energy-assisted wastewater treatment.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33153

Authors: Duk-Hee Lee, Hyun-Woo Shim, Gwang-Hee Lee, Kyung-Soo Park

Institutions: Institute for Advanced Engineering, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources

Language: English

Topic: TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100