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. 2021 Jul 29;11(42):26063-26072.
doi: 10.1039/d1ra04809k. eCollection 2021 Jul 27.

A three-dimensional nano-network WO3/F-TiO2-{001} heterojunction constructed with OH-TiOF2 as the precursor and its efficient degradation of methylene blue

Chentao Hou  1 , Jing Hao  1
Affiliations

A three-dimensional nano-network WO3/F-TiO2-{001} heterojunction constructed with OH-TiOF2 as the precursor and its efficient degradation of methylene blue

Chentao Hou et al. RSC Adv. .

Abstract

In this study, three-dimensional nested WO3/F-TiO2-{001} photocatalysts with different WO3 loadings were prepared by a hydrothermal process and used to degrade methylene blue (MB). The photocatalysts with various ratios of WO3 to OH-TiOF2 can be transformed into a three-dimensional network WO3/F-TiO2 hetero-structure with {001} surface exposure. The results showed that the composite catalyst with 5% WO3, denoted as FWT5, had the best comprehensive degradation effect. FWT5 has a limited band gap of 2.9 eV, which can be used as an advanced photocatalyst to respond to sunlight and degrade MB. The average pore diameter of the composite catalyst is 10.3 nm, and the multi-point specific surface area is 56 m2 g-1. Compared with pure TiOF2, the average pore size of the composite catalyst decreased by 8.44 nm and the specific surface area increased by 51.2 m2 g-1, which provides a larger contact space for the catalytic components and pollutants. Moreover, TiO2 on the {001} surface has higher photocatalytic activity and methylene blue can be better degraded. Under the irradiation of 0.03 g FWT5 composite catalyst with a simulated solar light source for 2 h, the degradation rate of 10 mg L-1 methylene blue can reach 82.9%. The trapping experiment showed that photo-generated holes were the principal functional component of WO3/F-TiO2-{001} photo-catalysis, which could capture OH- and form hydroxyl radical (˙OH) and improved the photocatalytic degradation performance. Kinetic studies show that the photocatalytic degradation of MB fits with the quasi-first order kinetic model.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. SEM images of (a) WO3, (b) OH-TiOF2, and (c) WO3 : Ti = 5%, (d) EDS spectrum of WO3 : Ti = 5%, and (e) and (f) HRTEM images of WO3 : Ti = 5%.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. XRD spectra of TiO2, WO3 and WO3/F-TiO2-{001}catalysts with different ratios of W to Ti.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. (a) Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm of FWT3, FWT5, FWT8, FWT10 and WO3. (b) The pore size distribution corresponding to each catalyst.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. (a) UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and (b) the corresponding band gap energy of WO3 and FWTX (X = 3, 5, 8, and 10).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Fine spectrum of FWT5L: (a) Ti 2p, (b) W 4f, (c) O 1s, and (d) F 1s.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6. Band gap width of TiO2 and FWT5 composite catalysts.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7. FT-IR spectra of WO3 and W : Ti = x : 100 (x = 3, 5, 8, and 10) with different Ti(x) molar ratios.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8. (a) Photo-degradation of MB by different samples under simulated sunlight (the dosage of the catalyst is 30 mg); (b) UV-Vis absorption spectrum of FWT5; (c) kinetic curve transformation of photo-degradation of MB solution with different samples.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9. Free scavenging experiment of FWT5 (40 mg of catalyst and 3 mmol L−1 scavenger were added).
Fig. 10
Fig. 10. Photocatalytic reaction mechanism of degradation of MB by WO3/F-TiO2-{001}.
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