Comparison Between Ag@TiO2 Core-Shell and Yolk-Shell Structures for Degradation of Gaseous Toluene Beneath Visible Light

Abstract

In this study, Ag@TiO2-YS and Ag@TiO2-CS were effectively prepared, and the differences in their morphologies were investigated. The photo-catalytic efficacy of gaseous toluene was determined by investigating its photo-catalytic oxidation beneath the visible light illumination. The results indicate that Ag@TiO2-YS has a high photocatalytic stability and superior photocatalytic properties. A 0.10 at% Ag@TiO2-YS photocatalyst can degrade approximately 99.5% of the gaseous toluene within 2 h. In addition, a 0.10 at% Ag@TiO2-YS photocatalyst can be utilized during many intervals without a failure of the photocatalytic efficiency or the occurrence of corrosion. The high photocatalytic efficiency of Ag@TiO2-YS can be attributed to the highly mesoporous texture and large specific area, the huge cavity volume of the yolk-shell arrangement, and finally the presence of Ti3+. The major effective ions and species in the destruction of gaseous toluene using visible light illumination applying a Ag@TiO2 yolk-shell, as confirmed through ESR, are Ti3+, h+, O-2, and OH.