2134/36545
Leticya Lais Coelho
Leticya Lais
Coelho
Dachamir Hotza
Dachamir
Hotza
Arthur Senra Estrella
Arthur Senra
Estrella
Suelen M. de Amorim
Suelen M.
de Amorim
Gianluca Li-Puma
Gianluca
Li-Puma
Regina F.P.M. Moreira
Regina F.P.M.
Moreira
Modulating the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 (P25) with lanthanum and graphene oxide
Loughborough University
2019
Titanium dioxide
Graphene oxide
Rare earths
Lanthanides
Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified
2019-01-11 13:40:50
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Modulating_the_photocatalytic_activity_of_TiO2_P25_with_lanthanum_and_graphene_oxide/9240935
The modulation and tuning of the photocatalytic activity of commercial titanium dioxide (TiO2) P25 nanoparticles is demonstrated through the incorporation of lanthanum (La) and/or graphene oxide (GO). These composite materials, which could have applications in commercial products, were prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method from the corresponding precursors. The effect of La (0.05–2 mol%) and GO (5 m%) content on the crystal structure, morphology and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 was investigated by XRS, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV–vis DRS, point of zero charge, photoluminescence and the decolorization of methylene blue. Lanthanum modified the recombination rate of the photogenerated electron-hole charges on TiO2 by inducing an increase in the structural defects, which resulted in a significant suppression, up to 90%, of the photocatalytic activity in the UVA light region. In contrast, the addition of GO enhanced the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. Materials with tuned intermediate photoactivity within the entire range from high to very low were prepared by dosing appropriate amounts of La and GO species. The strategy of combining La and GO represents a useful and simple method for tuning or for suppressing the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 under UVA light irradiation in materials and consumer products using TiO2.