Study on photocatalytic activity of Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2 composite films supported on electrically conductive glass (FTO) in visible-light photocatalytic degradation of organic dye

Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2 composite films were prepared via a sol-gel dip-coating method by using electrically conductive glass as a supporter. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed to reveal the crystallinity, surface morphology and chemical composition of the prepared Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2 composite films. Its visible-light photocatalytic activity was examined through the degradation of some organic dyes under simulated visible-light irradiation. The degradation process of organic dyes was monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometer. Some influence factors on the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2 composite film such as Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2 mass ratio, layer number, heat-treated temperature and heat-treated time were studied. The recycling used times and organic dye kinds were also included in consideration.