Constructing mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12 with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

• Novel mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12 were successfully synthesized via a low-temperature template-free procedure.
• The selective annealing temperature and the special precursor possibly resulted in the formation of mesoporous structure.
• Mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12 showed superior photocatalytic activity.
• We also investigated the active species generated in the degradation process.

Novel mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12 were successfully synthesized via a low-temperature template-free procedure. The selective annealing temperature and the special precursor possibly resulted in the formation of mesoporous structure. The obtained mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12 exhibited excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The active species generated in the degradation process were also investigated.

We report a novel template-free method to synthesize mesoporous Bi4Ti3O12, by annealing the precursor in a relatively low temperature (450 °C). The mission of gaseous products during annealing process possibly resulted in the formation of the mesoporous structure. However, Up to 550 °C, the growth of particles leaded to the disappearance of the holes.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide