2D/2D Heterojunctions of Layered TiO2 and (NH4)2V3O8 for Sunlight-Driven Methylene Blue Degradation

Abstract

Photocatalysis based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) has become a promising method to remediate industrial and municipal effluents in an environmentally friendly manner. However, the efficiency of TiO2 is hampered by problems such as rapid electron–hole recombination and limited solar spectrum absorption. Furthermore, the sensitization of TiO2 through heterojunctions with other materials has gained attention. Vanadium, specifically in the form of ammonium vanadate ((NH4)2V3O8), has shown promise as a photocatalyst due to its ability to effectively absorb visible light. However, its use in photocatalysis remains limited. Herein, we present a novel synthesis method to produce lamellar (NH4)2V3O8 as a sensitizer in a supramolecular hybrid photocatalyst of TiO2–stearic acid (SA), contributing to a deeper understanding of its structural and magnetic characteristics, expanding the range of visible light absorption, and improving the efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole separation. Materials, such as TiO2–SA and (NH4)2V3O8, were synthesized and characterized. EPR studies of (NH4)2V3O8 demonstrated their orientation-dependent magnetic properties and, from measurements of the angular variation of g-values, suggest that the VO2+ complexes are in axially distorted octahedral sites. The photocatalytic results indicate that the 2D/2D heterojunction layered TiO2/vanadate at a ratio (1:0.050) removed 100% of the methylene blue, used as a model contaminant in this study. The study of the degradation mechanism of methylene blue emphasizes the role of reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide ions (O2•−). These species are crucial for breaking down contaminant molecules, leading to their degradation. The band alignment between ammonium vanadate ((NH4)2V3O8) and TiO2–SA, shows effective separation and charge transfer processes at their interface. Furthermore, the study confirms the chemical stability and recyclability of the TiO2–SA/(NH4)2V3O8 photocatalyst, demonstrated that it could be used for multiple photocatalytic cycles without a significant loss of activity. This stability, combined with its ability to degrade organic pollutants under solar irradiation, means that the TiO2–SA/(NH4)2V3O8 photocatalyst is a promising candidate for practical environmental remediation applications.