Excellent photocatalytic performance from NiS decorated TiO2 nanoflowers with exposed {001} facets. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Ya-Ning; Li, Yan; Qian, Long-long; Wang, Xiao-Tian; Wang, Jian; Wang, Cheng-Wei
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 130(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: NiS/TiO2 p-n heterostructure -- exposed {001} facets -- synergistic effect -- photocatalytic performance; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2020.110945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical Abstract: Highlights: We have designed and fabricated three-dimensional nanoflower-like TiO2 architecture with almost 100% exposed {001} facets. NiS nanoparticles decorated on n-type TiO2 nanoflowers for forming NiS/TiO2 p-n heterostructures, used as photocatalytic device. Nanoflower-like NiS/TiO2 p-n heterostructures with exposed {001} facets possesses excellent photocatalytic activity for removal of anionic dyes. Abstract: Using some appropriate modifiers or special nano-architectures with exposed high-energy facets to design and synthesize TiO2 -based heterostructures is a promising strategy, which deserves a closer study for enhancement of their photocatalytic performance. Herein, we select NiS to decorate TiO2 nanoflowers formed with exposed {001} facets for constructing NiS/TiO2 nanoflower-like p-n heterostructures by a facile hydrothermal method, and successfully apply them to the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). It is found that the sample of 0.001-NiS/TiO2 with optimal molar ratio possesses the best photocatalytic activity, and the removal efficiency is up to 98% within 20 min with a constant degradation rate of 0.179 min -1, almost 10 times higher than that of the pure TiO2 nanoflowers (0.018 min -1 ). Correlation analysis suggests that the excellent photocatalytic activity of the NiS/TiO2 p-n heterostructures would stem from the synergy effects between the high efficient charge separation and transfer driven by the built-in electric field at interfaces of NiS/TiO2, and the exposed high energy {001} facets of TiO2 .