Coating a N-doped TiO2 shell on dually sensitized upconversion nanocrystals to provide NIR-enhanced photocatalysts for efficient utilization of upconverted emissions. Issue 9 (8th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Kun; Qincheng, Wanli; Wang, Fuyong; Bai, Song; Li, Sheng; Li, Zhengquan
• Is Part Of: Inorganic chemistry frontiers. Volume 3:Issue 9(2016)
• Page Start: 1190
• Page End: 1197
• Publication Date: 2016-08-08
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c6qi00194g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-1553

Abstract

Abstract : An efficient NIR-enhanced photocatalyst was developed by coating a N-doped TiO2 shell on dually sensitized core–shell upconversion nanocrystals. Abstract : Development of TiO2 -based photocatalysts capable of utilizing NIR light is very important for practical applications using the solar spectrum. The combination of upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs) with TiO2 is a promising route for activation of photocatalysts under NIR irradiation. Here we propose integration of dually sensitized UCNs with N-doped TiO2 with a core–shell–shell structure. In such composite photocatalysts, the core–shell UCNs exhibit enhanced UC emissions in response to two NIR bands and all the UC emissions can be utilized by the N-TiO2 shell. The doping manner of the UCN cores and the N-doping level of the TiO2 shell both have a significant effect on the photocatalytic activity. Our results suggest that rational design of the configuration of the component materials is a feasible way to improve the photocatalytic activity of such UCN/TiO2 nanocomposites.