Study on highly visible light active Bi2O3 loaded ordered mesoporous titania

Abstract

The well-defined two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal mesoporous nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 was synthesized by the nonhydrolytic evaporation-induced co-assembly (EISA) of non-ionic amphiphilic triblock-copolymer template, titanium tetrachloride and tetrabutyl titanate. The ordered mesoporous TiO2 (M-TiO2) was loaded with different % of Bi2O3 using the wet impregnation method. For comparison Degussa P25 impregnated with Bi2O3 was also prepared. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra (PLS), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), N2 adsorption–desorption (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. XRD and Raman spectra showed the pore wall was composed of anatase. 1.0% Bi2O3 loaded M-TiO2 revealed the well-ordered mesostructure. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements showed an extension of light absorption into the visible region. PLS analysis indicated that the electron–hole recombination rate have been effectively inhibited when Bi2O3 was loaded with ordered M-TiO2. The photo oxidation efficiency was evaluated by methyl orange (MO) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation under visible illumination. The samples loaded with different % of Bi2O3 showed higher photocatalytic activity than M-TiO2 and Bi2O3 loaded P25. The catalyst exhibited high activity due to the Bi2O3-photosensitization and well-ordered 2D pore structure. The ordered mesoporous channels facilitate mass transport of the organic pollutants. TiO2 could extend the spectral response from UV to visible region because of Bi2O3-photosensitization which make the Bi2O3 loaded M-TiO2 photocatalyst visible light responsive.