Ni-Doped Protonated Layered Titanate/TiO2 Composite with Efficient Photocatalytic Activity for NOx Decomposition Reactions

A unique structural transformation of a lepidocrocite-type layered titanate, K0.8Ti1.73Li0.27O4, into a rutile-type TiO2 has recently been realized via dilute HCl treatment and subsequent drying at room temperature for producing rutile-nanoparticle-decorated protonated layered titanate exhibiting highly efficient photocatalytic activity. Herein, the authors report synthesis of a lepidocrocite-type layered cesium titanate with nominal compositions of Cs0.7Ti1.825-x/2Nix square O-0.175-x/2(4) (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.35) through solid-state reactions of Cs2CO3, TiO2, and Ni(CH3COO)(2)center dot 4H(2)O at different temperatures (600 or 800 degrees C), followed by treatment with dilute HCl and subsequent drying to produce a Ni-doped protonated layered titanate/TiO2 composite. Cs0.7Ti1.825-x/2Nix square O-0.175-x/2(4) with an optimized Ni content obtained at a lower temperature was converted into a Ni-doped protonated layered titanate/TiO2 composite to exhibit high photocatalytic activity for NOx decomposition reactions.

Automated summary

A Ni-doped protonated layered titanate/TiO2 composite with high photocatalytic activity for NOx decomposition reactions was synthesized by solid-state reactions and subsequent treatment with dilute HCl and drying at low temperatures. The optimized Ni content in the composite was obtained at a lower temperature, leading to improved photocatalytic performance.