Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and investigation of efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalysis via nanoscale PbSe sensitized TiO2

• Nanostructured PbSe sensitized TiO2 composites synthesized via a facile sonochemical synthesis approach.
• As-prepared visible light photocatalysts have high efficiency decolorization of organic dye with high concentration.
• Long-term stability of as-prepared PbSe–TiO2 composites was achieved.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected through the oxidation reaction from DPCI to DPCO.

In this study, a novel visible-light-responsive PbSe–TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalysts were successfully synthesized through a facile sonochemical-assisted method, and characterized by XRD, SEM–EDX, TEM, and DRS to confirm its structure, morphology, composition, and optical property. In decolorization of rhodamine B, a significant enhancement in the reaction rate was observed with PbSe–TiO2 composite, compared to the pure TiO2. The generation of reactive oxygen species was detected through the oxidation reaction from 1,5-diphenyl carbazide (DPCI) to 1,5-diphenyl carbazone (DPCO). The high photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the synergetic effect of PbSe nanoparticles and TiO2 by extending the spectral response of TiO2 to visible region and also help to reduce the charge recombination. Finally, the possible mechanism for generation of reactive oxygen species under visible light irradiation was proposed as well.

The manuscript presents a synthesis of visible light-induced nanoscale PbSe–TiO2 photocatalyst via a facile sonochemical assisted method. And its application in degrading organic dyes rhodamine B (Rh.B) and generation ROS under visible light irradiation were studied.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide