Preparation and UV–Vis photodegradation of gaseous benzene by TiO2 nanotube arrays supporting V2O5 nanoparticles

Abstract

TiO 2-based catalysts effective in visible radiation for eliminating organic pollutants have attracted intense research activity as a future generation photocatalytic material. However, recombination of electron–hole pairs through trapping/de-trapping as well as the disadvantages of recycling and separation/filtration of powders lead to the limitation of powder TiO 2 materials. TiO 2 nanotube array films supporting vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles (VTNTs) were synthesized by electrophoresis deposition method with the prepared TiO 2 nanotube arrays as the cathode and V 2 O 5 sol as the electrolyte. The results indicate that the formation of Ti – O – V bonds and intimate interaction between host–guest interfaces help to enhance the hybrids’ photodegradation activity of gaseous benzene. Importantly, hybrid film catalysts prepared with 0.05 mol/L V 2 O 5 sol for 10 min electrophoresis deposition perform a 98% conversion rate of benzene and 1028.8 mg/m3 CO 2 production in 80 min under UV–Vis irradiation.