The effect of surface heterojunction between (001) and (101) facets on photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2

To explore the effect of surface heterojunction between (001) and (101) planes on photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2, the anatase TiO2 photocatalysts with different ratio of (001) and (101) planes were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, UV-vis, and PL to explore the optimal ratio of these facets. Meanwhile, the as-prepared samples were used to photocatalytically remove elemental mercury under UV lamp irradiation. The results indicated that the removal efficiency was different and the percentage of (001) was 32% exhibiting the best photocatalytic activities. It can be attribute to the surface heterojunction between (001) and (101) planes and the optimal ratio of these facets, which can suppress the recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B. V.