Controlled fabrication of {101} and {001}-faceted Ti1−xFexO2 nanoarchitectures with enhanced photocatalytic performance for degradation of pollutant antibiotics

Abstract

Facing the increasing antibiotics pollution, it is essential to develop novel and highly efficient photocatalysts in purification systems. Herein, Fe3+-incorporated tetragonal bipyramid anatase TiO2 nanoarchitectures (NAs-Ti1−xFexO2) with exposure of highly active atoms (Fe, O and Ti) on the (101) and (001) surfaces were prepared via a hydrothermal process. Experimental studies show that these fabricated NAs-Ti1−xFexO2 exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for degradation of pollutant antibiotics. Based on the stabilization mechanism, a detailed analysis of many active atoms were stabilized on the (101) and (001) surfaces of NAs-Ti1−xFexO2 due to Ti–O/Ti–F/Fe–F bond attractions. A series of characterization experiments show that Fe3+ is regarded as a significant component and participated in the reaction process for antibiotics degradation. Besides, high exposure of active atoms due to this Fe3+ incorporated tetragonal bipyramid anatase TiO2 (one dimensional sizes verge on 1–3 nm) further improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and free radical yield than traditional nanomaterials. What's more, the photoinduced electrons are also easier to transfer to the (101) crystal plane and the holes remained on the (001) crystal plane. In conclusion, excellent performance can be amplified, which is derived from smaller nanometric size. This study provides an insight into the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of pollutant antibiotics employing the Fe3+-incorporated tetragonal bipyramid anatase TiO2.