Efficient removal of cationic dyes from water by a combined adsorption-photocatalysis process using platinum-doped titanate nanomaterials

In this study, two types of titanate nanomaterials (TNMs) including titanate nanosheets (TNS) and titanate nanotubes (TNT) were hydrothermally prepared by controlling reaction times, and then the platinum (Pt)-doped TNMs were fabricated. The photocatalytic performance of as-prepared materials was compared with that of the commercially available TiO2 P25. It was revealed that changing the morphology of TiO2 particles could enhance their adsorption ability and photocatalytic activity for the removal of cationic dyes from water. In particular, all prepared materials displayed greater removal of methylene blue than of P25 through the synergy of adsorption and photocatalysis; however, such an effect was not so pronounced for anionic dyes. For cationic dyes (methylene blue and rhodamine B) and anionic dyes (methyl orange and naphthol blue-black), TNT presented higher photocatalytic activity than TNS. The TNMs, after Pt doping, significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the pristine ones. Remarkably, 0.5% by weight Pt-doped TNS achieved 100% removal of methylene blue and rhodamine B after 120 min and 140 min of UV irradiation, respectively, outperforming P25, although Pt-doped TNMs showed lower photocatalytic performance than P25 for anionic dyes.