In dye-photocatalysis, widening the wavelengths absorption range of catalysts as well as aborting the recombination of the photoexcited charge carriers(electrons-holes pairs) are of paramount significance.In the curre...In dye-photocatalysis, widening the wavelengths absorption range of catalysts as well as aborting the recombination of the photoexcited charge carriers(electrons-holes pairs) are of paramount significance.In the current study, we report the photocatalytic characteristics of four compositions composed of TiO_(2),Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2), Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders for two harmful dyes(Congo red and methylene blue). The X-ray diffraction technique verified the configuration of mixed anatase and rutile phases in pure TiO_(2)and Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2)powders while Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders possess anatase phase only. The changes of the band gap structure and dimensions of the unit cell volume of TiO_(2)confirm the substitution of Ti^(4+)sites by Cu^(2+)and La^(3+)ions. Remarkable widening of wavelengths absorption with formation of long absorption tails were found in TiO_(2)(3.13 e V) through insertion of La^(3+)plus Cu^(2+)ions. Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)samples exhibit a visible light band gap of 2.3 and 2.7 e V, respectively. Based on SEM images, incorporation of Cu^(2+)and La^(3+)ions influences the surface morphology of TiO_(2). The resulting Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2), Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders present enhanced photocatalytic activity towards Congo red dye degradation compared to pure one under natural solar spectrum. The best Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)catalyst exhibits superior photocatalytic activity of 96% for 10 ppm CR dye in 20 min as well as above average photocatalytic efficiency of 63% for 30 ppm CR dye in 120 min. As well, it showed acceptable photodegradation activity of 52% for 30 ppm MB solution in 140 min of sunlight irradiation. The heightened photodegradation efficiency of Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)catalyst can be clarified in terms of higher charge carriers' separation(Cu^(2+)+ e-→ Cu^(+), La^(3+)+ e-→ La^(2+)), oxygen vacancies, full anatase phase structure as well as the wide range of visible light absorption.展开更多
文摘In dye-photocatalysis, widening the wavelengths absorption range of catalysts as well as aborting the recombination of the photoexcited charge carriers(electrons-holes pairs) are of paramount significance.In the current study, we report the photocatalytic characteristics of four compositions composed of TiO_(2),Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2), Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders for two harmful dyes(Congo red and methylene blue). The X-ray diffraction technique verified the configuration of mixed anatase and rutile phases in pure TiO_(2)and Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2)powders while Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders possess anatase phase only. The changes of the band gap structure and dimensions of the unit cell volume of TiO_(2)confirm the substitution of Ti^(4+)sites by Cu^(2+)and La^(3+)ions. Remarkable widening of wavelengths absorption with formation of long absorption tails were found in TiO_(2)(3.13 e V) through insertion of La^(3+)plus Cu^(2+)ions. Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)samples exhibit a visible light band gap of 2.3 and 2.7 e V, respectively. Based on SEM images, incorporation of Cu^(2+)and La^(3+)ions influences the surface morphology of TiO_(2). The resulting Ti_(0.97)Cu_(0.03)O_(2), Ti_(0.965)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.005)O_(2)and Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)powders present enhanced photocatalytic activity towards Congo red dye degradation compared to pure one under natural solar spectrum. The best Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)catalyst exhibits superior photocatalytic activity of 96% for 10 ppm CR dye in 20 min as well as above average photocatalytic efficiency of 63% for 30 ppm CR dye in 120 min. As well, it showed acceptable photodegradation activity of 52% for 30 ppm MB solution in 140 min of sunlight irradiation. The heightened photodegradation efficiency of Ti_(0.96)Cu_(0.03)La_(0.01)O_(2)catalyst can be clarified in terms of higher charge carriers' separation(Cu^(2+)+ e-→ Cu^(+), La^(3+)+ e-→ La^(2+)), oxygen vacancies, full anatase phase structure as well as the wide range of visible light absorption.
