| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65656 | Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical | 2013 | 6 Pages |
•Iodine-sensitized Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized.•I/Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 exhibits higher activity on photodegradation of phenol.•I2/I− redox mediator can promote the separation of photogenerated carriers.
Iodine-sensitized Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 composite photocatalyst was synthesized via the formation of Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 heterostructure followed by being loaded with I2/I−. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffusive reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra. I-sensitized Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 photocatalyst exhibited red shift of the absorption edge and strong enhancement of absorption in visible light region owing to the absorption of Bi4Ti3O12 and I2. I-sensitized Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 composite displayed much higher photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of phenol under visible light irradiation than TiO2 (P25), Bi4Ti3O12 and Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of I-sensitized Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 was attributed to its novel heterostructure and the existence of I2/I− redox mediator, both of which were responsible for its strong absorption in the visible region and low recombination rate of electron-hole pairs.
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