Template Based Synthesis of Plasmonic Ag‐modified TiO₂/SnO₂ Nanotubes with Enhanced Photostability for Efficient Visible‐Light Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution and RhB Degradation

Abstract

In the present study, ternary photocatalysts of Ag-modified hybrid TiO 2 /SnO 2 nanotube with varied Ag contents were synthesized by the liquid-phase deposition method. The morphology, crystal structure and optical properties of ternary photocatalysts have been investigated in detail and compared with those of SnO 2 , TiO 2 , and TiO 2 /SnO 2 nanotubes. The photocatalytic activity of the products has also been evaluated based on the degradation of Rhodamine B and H 2 production under visible-light irradiation. It was found that photostable 0.4 Ag-TiO 2 /SnO 2 nanotubes exhibit the highest photocatalytic H 2 production rate of 1304.8 μmol.h À 1 .g À 1 with the maximum apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 6.3%. The improvement in H 2 evolution rate and photodegradation efficiency can be attributed to the synergetic effect of SnO 2 coupling with TiO 2 nanotubes and Ag modification, mainly owning to enlarged light absorption region, efficient separation of charge carriers in hybrid nanotubes, and localization of surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles.

Atomic Level Interface Control of SnO2-TiO2 Nanohybrids for the Photocatalytic Activity Enhancement

“…In addition, they only respond to UVlight, and the visible-light response is of crucial importance for the effective utilization of the sunlight as the driving force. A promising approach to achieve this is the surface modification by plasmonic metals such Au [46] and Ag [47,48]. Finally, the development of various nanohybrids with atomically commensurate junctions other than the SnO 2 -NR#TiO 2 system can bring wide and fruitful applications.…”

Effect of SnO Composition in SnO/SnO2 Nanocomposites on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Malachite Green under Visible Light

“…Mohammad Javad Fakharian et. al, [26] introduced a new structure of Ag-doped TiO 2 /SnO 2 nanotubes which could improve degradation of RhB and hydrogen creation under visible radiation.…”

Multicomponent Composite Membrane with Three-Phase Interface Heterostructure as Photocatalyst for Organic Dye Removal

“…The second reaction path was that the photogenerated e – migrated to the interface of the three-phase heterostructure, and reacted with the adsorbed O 2 molecules to form • O 2 – ( eq 9 ), then further produced • OH ( eqs 10 – 12 ). 73 These active radicals would degrade the organic pollutant molecules into small molecules, e.g., H 2 O and CO 2 ( eq 13 ). According to the above analysis, the photocatalytic mechanism could be summarized as follows: (1) the heterostructure coupled by the TiO 2 nanoparticles, SiO 2 aerogel, and C FC substrate accelerated the separation of photogenerated e – –h + pairs and inhibited their recombination; (2) the conductive porous network architecture provided a convenient path for the photogenerated charges’ transport; 74 and (3) the addition of the SiO 2 aerogel increased the contents of O 2 and hydroxyl groups on the P-S-T/C surface, which could be used as e – and h + trapping agents, and further accelerated the photocatalytic reaction process.…”