Enhanced Visible Light Response and Characterization of Nanoscale TiO2/WO3-x Composite Photocatalyst by Sol-gel Synthesis

The TiO2/WO3-x nanoscale particles with superior interfacial interactions were synthesized using tetrabutyl titanate (IV) through the sol-gel method, then calcining at 450 degrees C for 3 h. The electrical property of the photocatalyst was tuned by forming nano-size heterogeneous structures with the co-crystallization of TiO2 and tungsten oxide structures. The prepared photocatalysis samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, and UV-vis. The higher specific surface area (72.1372 m(2)/g) and strong interaction in the TiO2/WO3-x photocatalyst interface enhanced the photoelectrochemical activity and the bandgap was adjusted from 3.16 to 2.96 eV. It has been discovered by using methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB), the photoresponse range of 2 mol% tungsten added TiO2/WO3-x photocatalyst has extended to the visible portion of the spectrum by the degradation of dyes and reached 94.8% and 97.4% for MB and RhB at 90 min and 100 min, respectively. TiO2/WO3-x contained a higher donor concentration due to the oxygen vacancy structure of WOx and the electrons that occurred at the defects are believed to be easier to participate in the photocatalytic reactions. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

TiO2/WO3-x nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method, showing excellent interfacial interactions. The electrical property and bandgap of the photocatalyst were tuned by forming nano-size heterogeneous structures. The TiO2/WO3-x photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical activity and extended photoresponse range in the visible spectrum.