Research paperEffects of the structure of the Rh3+ modifier on photocatalytic performances of an Rh3+/TiO2 photocatalyst under irradiation of visible light

•Effects of the Rh3+ modifier structure on activities of an Rh3+/TiO2 photocatalyst were examined.•Activities of Rh3+/TiO2 showed a volcano-like tendency against post-calcination temperature.•An atomically isolated structure of the Rh3+ modifier was preferable for high activities.•Aggregation of Rh species led to a decrease in the activities.

For a rhodium ion-modified TiO2 (Rh3+/TiO2) photocatalyst responding to visible light, control of the structure of the Rh3+ modifier and effects of the structures of the Rh3+ modifier on photocatalytic activities were examined. A TiO2 support was pre-calcined to maintain crystallinity and specific surface area during post-calcination, and the structure of the Rh3+ modifier for Rh3+/TiO2 was changed by post-calcination without causing changes in the crystallinity and specific surface area of the TiO2 support. In mineralization of acetone under irradiation of visible light, the photocatalytic activities of the post-calcined Rh3+/TiO2 showed a volcano-like tendency as a function of post-calcination temperature. The results of this study showed that an atomically isolated structure of the Rh3+ modifier was preferable for high activities and that aggregation of the Rh species led to a decrease in the activities.

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