Novel luminescent photocatalytic deNOx activity of CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd)/TiO2−xNy composite

The systematic experiments of photocatalytic degradation of NO gas were carried out by using novel composites containing TiO2−xNy loaded on a long afterglow phosphor, CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd). The composites were prepared in a sequence of procedures, which involved reactions of TiCl3 and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) mixed solution at 190 °C for 2 h to precipitate nano-size TiO2−xNy particles, followed by mixing the TiO2−xNy with a micro-size CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd) particles by a soft planetary ball milling to yield CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd)/TiO2−xNy composites. Photocatalytic degradation of NO was monitored both under UV light irradiation and in the dark after turning off the light. The composite displayed excellent photocatalytic activity under UV-light irradiation as well as persistent activity after turning off light. A promising strategy involves coupling of visible light responsive photocatalyst with long afterglow phosphor was established. It is a new concept for the photocatalyst synthesis implying a possibility of a novel persistent active photocatalytic system.

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• We firstly developed an effective full-time active luminescent photocatalyst system.
• It is a new concept for the photocatalyst synthesis and application.
• The composite displayed excellent photocatalytic deNOx activity under UV-light irradiation as well as persistent activity after turning off light.
• A promising strategy involves coupling of visible light responsive photocatalyst with long afterglow phosphor was established.