TiO2 is one of the most important photocatalysts, but it is inefficient for visible light photocatalysis due to its large band gap. Herein, the unique core-shell structured TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized by a one-step hydrogen treatment at temperature of 400 to 600 oC. The novel core-shell structure, which is comprised of the Ti3+-containing crystal core and the disordered TiO2 shell, was demonstrated for hydrogen-treated TiO2 by XRD, TEM, XPS, EPR, and TPR. The stable Ti3+ sites inside the core can play an important role for electron excitation by visible light irradiation, while the disordered shell can provide active sites for reactant absorption. Such a core-shell structure creates the unique properties of hydrogenated TiO2 as an efficient visible light photocatalyst. The novel catalyst exhibited excellent performance for visible light photocatalytic dye degradation at room temperature. Even under weak visible light (40cm-2) illumination, its degradation efficiency for methylene blue dye was 400% higher than that of pristine TiO2. Such a large enhancement can be attributed to the stable Ti3+ centers inside the core for visible light photocatalytic activity and the disordered shell for dye adsorption.

Core-shell structured TiO2 as highly efficient photocatalyst for dye degradation under visible light

2019 Spring National Meeting

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