Efficient full spectrum responsive photocatalytic NO conversion at Bi2Ti2O7: Co-effect of plasmonic Bi and oxygen vacancies

Developing full-spectrum responsive and efficient photocatalysts is still an important challenge in the field of photocatalytic treatment of trace environmental pollutants. Herein, full-spectrum Bi@Bi2Ti2O7 with rich-oxygen vacancies (OVs) were fabricated via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The optimized composite photocatalyst exhibited a photocatalytic efficiency of 79 %, more than doubled higher than that of its counterpart, Bi2Ti2O7 (31.79 %), for removing ppb-level NO under visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) irradiation. The enhanced photo -catalytic performance was attributed to the co-effect of Bi and OVs reveal by control experiments and theoretical calculations, which not only benefited the adsorption and photocatalytic activation of NO but broadened light absorption to near infrared region. Furthermore, the adsorption and photocatalytic conversion pathway of NO was explored by in situ DRIFTS, suggesting that NO+ as intermediate species is crucial to improve the selectivity of NO converting to nitrate. This work provides a new perspective of constructing full-spectrum-driven photo -catalysts for environment remediation.

Automated summary

This study develops a full-spectrum Bi@Bi2Ti2O7 photocatalyst with rich-oxygen vacancies (OVs) via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The optimized composite photocatalyst exhibits significantly improved photocatalytic efficiency for removing ppb-level NO under visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) irradiation. The enhanced performance is attributed to the co-effect of Bi and OVs, which benefits the adsorption and photocatalytic activation of NO, as well as broadens light absorption to the near infrared region.