Ionic liquid assisted hydrothermal preparation of TiO2 with largely enhanced photocatalytic performance originated from effective separation of photoinduced carriers. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Jiao; Qin, Chan; Lei, Shiyun; Li, Jianzhang; Li, Minjiao; Zhong, Junbo; Wang, Tao
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 139(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Photocatalysis -- TiO2 -- Ionic liquid -- Separation rate of photoinduced carriers; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2019.109323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity was prepared with the aid of ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIm]PF6 ) through a conventional hydrothermal method. The effects of different amounts of [BMIm]PF6 on the preparation and corresponding photocatalytic activity of TiO2 were investigated. Preparation of TiO2 was optimized by controlling the mass ratio of [BMIm]PF6 and TiO2 . Photocatalytic property of TiO2 prepared was investigated using RhB as a simulated pollutant. The results show that TiO2 prepared with the aid of [BMIm]PF6 exhibits superior photocatalytic activity to the reference TiO2, when the mass ratio of [BMIm]PF6 /TiO2 is 8%, TiO2 prepared has the highest separation rate of photogenerated charge pairs, leading to the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of TiO2 prepared with the aid of [BMIm]PF6 is attributable to high surface hydroxyl content and enhanced separation of photoinduced charge pairs. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: TiO2 was prepared with the aid of ionic liquid [BMIm]PF6 . The photo-induced charge separation rate has been greatly enhanced. The surface hydroxyl content has been significantly promoted. The sunlight driven-photocatalytic activity has been greatly boosted.