Mesoporous CeTiSiMCM-48 as novel photocatalyst for degradation of organic compounds

Abstract

This work presents novel photocatalysts containing Ti and/or Ce embedded in the mesoporous silica framework (TiSiMCM-48, CeSiMCM-48 and CeTiSiMCM-48) that were prepared via a facile sol–gel process in the presence of ionic structure directing agents. The structural properties of the obtained materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), EDAX analysis, X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results indicated that Ce and Ti were highly dispersed or incorporated into the framework of the cubic SiMCM-48, with an enhanced light-trapping effect both in the UV and Vis regions. When applied to the photocatalytic degradation of phenol, the best results were obtained for the bimetallic hybrid. The best activity of CeTiSiMCM-48 photocatalyst was ascribed to improved electron–hole pair separation efficiency and formation of more reactive oxygen species due to the presence of Ce4+/Ce3+. The mesoporous support increases the dispersability of the photoactive Ti4+ or Ce4+/Ce3+ species on the catalyst surface and the accessibility of the substrate to the active sites. Furthermore, the catalysts can be easily recovered and reused for four cycles without significant loss of activity.