PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTY AND PHOTOCATALYTIC MECHANISM OF TiO2/Fe2O3 HYBRIDS FOR DEGRADATION OF ORGANIC DYES

Abstract

In order to consider the performance enhancement and feasibility of practical application, this research work discussed the effects of different ions on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/Fe2O3 hybrids in detail, involving H[Formula: see text], OH−, NH[Formula: see text], and NO[Formula: see text]. The TiO2/Fe2O3 hybrids were prepared by organic electrolyte-assisted sol–gel method under UV irradiation, and their function mechanisms were analyzed. Experiment results show that the resultant TiO2/Fe2O3 hybrids possess excellent photocatalytic activity and photocatalytic stability for degradation of organics under acid condition (pH 2–8). Notably, the NO[Formula: see text] ions could accelerate degradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange, and the recyclability of TiO2/Fe2O3 hybrids can be greatly enhanced in the co-existence of NO[Formula: see text] and NH[Formula: see text]. Meanwhile, this symbiosis of NO[Formula: see text] and NH[Formula: see text] is proven able to buffer the solution pH in photocatalysis. Furthermore, the prominent photocatalytic activity of TiO2/Fe2O3 hybrids for organic pollutants was mainly attributed to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH). The synthetic products show great potential applications in purification of air or wastewater that contains ammonia-nitrogen molecules.