The Z-scheme heterojunction between TiO2 nanotubes and Cu2O nanoparticles mediated by Ag nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic stability and activity under visible light. Issue 18 (15th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duan, Jihai; Zhao, Hui; Zhang, Zisheng; Wang, Weiwen
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 44:Issue 18(2018)
• Page Start: 22748
• Page End: 22759
• Publication Date: 2018-12-15
• Subjects: Visible light-driven photocatalysis -- TiO2 nanotubes, the Z-scheme heterojunction -- Photodegradation stability; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The photocatalytic reduction method was used to introduce Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into the Cu2 O-TiO2 nanotubes (Cu2 O-TNT) prepared by electrodeposition. The Z-scheme heterojunction Cu2 O-Ag-TNT (CAT-4–60) catalysts were prepared. The mechanism of the transition from the traditional P-N heterojunction enhanced by noble metal to the Z-scheme heterojunction was studied. In addition, the Z-scheme heterojunction CAT-4–60 showed the highest light absorption and the highest photoelectrochemical activity under visible light, and the photoluminescence intensity was significantly reduced. Compared with the traditional P-N heterojunction CAT-2–60, not only the photocatalytic activity of the dual Z-scheme CAT-4–60 catalyst was improved, and the removal rate of MB was 98.58% higher than TNT (45.81%), CT-60 (69.49%), AT-2 (75.1%) and CAT-2–60 (91.2%), but also the stability of Cu2 O in CAT-4–60 was significantly enhanced. This work reveals the potential application of noble metal nanoparticles to enhance the Z-scheme heterojunction under visible light-driven photocatalysis, and provides new insights to the transition from traditional P-N heterojunctions to Z-scheme heterojunctions.