Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2/YFeO3 and Its Photocatalytic Oxidation of Gaseous Benzene

YFeO3 was prepared by coprecipitation method and citric acid method, and TiO2/YFeO3 heterosystem photocatalysts were synthesized by loading TiO2 sol on the surface of YFeO3via sol-gel method. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the decomposition of gaseous benzene under UV light illumination. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Results revealed that the heterosystem photocatalysts prepared by coprecipitation method showed higher activity, and the maximum conversion of benzene could reach 44.7% within 180 min. The YFeO3 samples prepared from coprecipitation method and citric acid method were absolutely in orthorhombic phase. The deposited titania was dispersed on the surface of carrier and a certain interaction existed between TiO2 and YFeO3. The two heterosystems photocatalysts had narrow band-gap energies.