Effect of phase structures of TiO2-xNy on the photocatalytic activity of CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd)-coupled TiO2-xNy

Nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (TiO2-xNy) nanocrystalline with different phase of anatase. rutile or brookite was coupled with CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd) particles by planetary ball milling treatment. The effect of phase structures on the persistent photocatalytic activity of a CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd)/TiO2-xNy composite was evaluated for the oxidative destruction of NO. The persistent catalytic degradation of NO by TiO2-xNy was realized in the presence of CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd), which shows a long afterglow luminescence. The persistent photocatalytic property of composites changed depending on the crystalline phase of TiO2-xNy, i.e., the persistent photocatalytic property of CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd) combined with brookite type TiO2-xNy was superior to those of anatase or rutile phase TiO2-xNy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.