Metal ion-modified TiO2 photocatalysts having controllable oxidative performance under irradiation of visible light

• Metal ion-modified TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by using the equilibrium adsorption method and were used for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol under irradiation of visible light.
• Photocatalytic oxidative performances of Mn+/TiO2 designed by combinations of metal ions and TiO2 powders can be controlled.
• A photocatalyst composed of an appropriate metal ion (Ru3+) and TiO2 (Ishihara ST-01) exhibited excellent performance.

Metal ion-modified TiO2 photocatalysts designated by combinations of various metal ions and TiO2 powders that respond to visible light and exhibit controllable photocatalytic oxidative performances were examined. The photocatalytic oxidative performances were evaluated by selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol in water in the presence of O2 under irradiation of visible light. The TiO2 samples modified with Ru3+, Pd2+ and Rh3+ (Ru3+/TiO2, Pd2+/TiO2 and Rh3+/TiO2) exhibited high levels of photocatalytic activity. The effects of metal ions and the kind of TiO2 on photocatalytic performances of Rh3+/TiO2 and Ru3+/TiO2 were investigated in detail.

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