La2Ti2O7: An efficient and stable photocatalyst for the photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions in water

In the present work, the photocatalytic activity of La2Ti2O7 for the photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions in water was investigated. The results indicated that La2Ti2O7 is an efficient photocatalyst with 98% of reduction efficiency of Cr(VI) ions after 3 h ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Meanwhile, the stability of La2Ti2O7 in the photocatalysis was investigated by repeatedly performing Cr(VI) photoreducing experiments. It can be found that the photocatalytic activity of La2Ti2O7 remained almost unchanged after nine successive cycles, and the reduction ratio of Cr(VI) ions was still up to 50% in the twentieth cycle. Furthermore, for practical purposes, the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) ions was studied as functions of the solution pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration and additional salts.

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► La2Ti2O7 is a high active photocatalyst for the photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions.
► La2Ti2O7 remained almost unchanged photocatalytic activity after nine cycles.
► La2Ti2O7 is suitable for the elimination of Cr(VI) ions in acidic solution.