Enhanced photocatalytic activity, mechanism and potential application of Idoped-Bi4Ti3O12 photocatalysts. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, T.; Ma, Q.; Gao, H.; Meng, S.; Lu, Z.; Wang, S.; Yi, Z.; Wu, X.; Liu, G.; Wang, X.; Yang, H.
• Is Part Of: Materials today chemistry. Volume 23(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Idoped-BTO photocatalytsts -- Enhanced photocatalytic performance -- Photocatalytic mechanism -- Photodegradation application; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemistry; Materials -- Research; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 660.282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2021.100750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-5194

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we have introduced iodine into Bi4 Ti3 O12 (BTO) crystals with the aim of improving their photocatalytic activities in decomposing organic pollutants. The as-prepared Idoped -BTO photocatalysts were systematically analyzed by various techniques (e.g. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), as well as density functional theory calculation. It is confirmed that I element is successfully doped, as an I − oxidation state, in the BTO crystals by substituting the O in the perovskite-like (Bi2 Ti3 O10 ) 2− blocks. The photocatalytic activities between the I x -BTO ( x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) samples were compared by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated-sunlight irradiation, revealing that I0.4 -BTO is the optimal photocatalyst having a photocatalytic activity about 3.0 times higher than that of parent BTO. Based on the experimental data and density functional theory calculation, the enhanced photocatalytic mechanism for the Idoped -BTO photocatalysts was proposed and discussed. To promote the potential application of the optimal I0.4 -BTO photocatalyst, its photocatalytic performances were further investigated by the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin, tetrabromobisphenol A, tetracycline hydrochloride and methyl orange/rhodamine B (RhB)/MB mixture dyes; moreover, the effect of inorganic anions and pH values on the MB photodegradation was also investigated. Highlights: I element was doped in BTO hierarchical microspheres for the first time. The as-derived Idoped -BTO photocatalysts were systematically characterized. The Idoped -BTO photocatalysts are endowed with much enhanced photocatalytic activity. Potential application of the Idoped -BTO photocatalysts were systematically investigated. Enhanced photocatalytic mechanism for the Idoped -BTO photocatalysts was proposed and discussed.