Photocatalytic characteristics for the nanocrystalline TiO2 on the Ag-doped CaAl2O4:(Eu,Nd) phosphor

Abstract

This study investigated the photocatalytic behavior of nanocrystalline TiO2 deposited on Ag-doped long-lasting phosphor (CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+). The CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ phosphor powders were prepared via conventional sintering using CaCO3, Al2O3, Eu2O3, and Nd2O3 as raw materials according to the appropriate molar ratios. Silver nanoparticles were loaded on the phosphor by mixing with an aqueous Ag-dispersion solution. Nanocrystalline TiO2 was deposited on Ag-doped CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ powders via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The TiO2 coated on the phosphor was actively photo-reactive under irradiation with visible light and showed much faster benzene degradation than pure TiO2, which is almost non-reactive. The coupling of TiO2 with phosphor may result in an energy band bending in the junction region, which then induces the TiO2 crystal at the interface to be photo-reactive under irradiation with visible light. In addition, the intermetallic compound of CaTiO3 that formed at the interface between TiO2 and the CaAl2O4:(Eu2+,Nd3+) phosphor results in the formation of oxygen vacancies and additional electrons that promote the photodecomposition of benzene gas. The addition of Ag nanoparticles enhanced the photocatalytic reactivity of the TiO2/CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ phosphor. TiO2 on the Ag-doped phosphor presented a higher benzene gas decomposition rate than the TiO2 did on the phosphor without Ag-doping under both irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light.