Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of defect-rich hierarchical sponge-like TiO2 nanoparticles and their improved photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Defect-rich hierarchical sponge-like TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via the combined one-step hydrothermal method and chemical reduction approach. SEM and TEM images showed their porous structure densely packed with even smaller TiO2 particles, while photocatalytic results manifested their superior photocatalytic performance and high stability. The RhB solution (10 ppm) could be absolutely degraded in 60 min, and the degradation rate was twice that of the sample without the treatment by NaBH4. Besides, the TC solution (10 ppm) could be removed by 74.3% in 20 min. PEC measurements also displayed that the photoelectrode based on such defectrich TiO2 nanoparticles had small resistance and improved charge transfer rate. The improved performance can be assigned to rich defects and phase junctions, which was supported by characterization results. The presence of rich defects and phase junctions could not only promote the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, but also accelerate the electron transfer, beneficial for both the photocatalytic and the PEC performance. It is expected that the obtained hierarchical sponge-like TiO2 nanoparticles with rich defects have great potential for photocatalytic applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chu J, Sun Y, Han X, et al. Mixed titanium oxide strategy for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2019, 11(20): 18475–18482

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Reheman A, Kadeer K, Okitsu K, et al. Facile photo-ultrasonic assisted reduction for preparation of rGO/Ag2CO3 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity for tetracycline. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2019, 51: 166–177

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Tsai C E, Yeh S M, Chen C H, et al. Flexible photocatalytic paper with Cu2O and Ag nanoparticle-decorated ZnO nanorods for visible light photodegradation of organic dye. Nanoscale Research Letters, 2019, 14(1): 204

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cendula P, Mayer M T, Luo J, et al. Correction: Elucidation of photovoltage origin and charge transport in Cu2O heterojunctions for solar energy conversion. Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2019, 3 (10): 2633–2641

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang W, Xiao X, Zheng L, et al. Fabrication of TiO2/MoS2 composite photocatalyst and its photocatalytic mechanism for degradation of methyl orange under visible light. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2015, 93(9): 1594–1602

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Li Y, Wang X, Gao L. Construction of binary BiVO4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst and their photocatalytic performance for reactive blue 19 reduction from aqueous solution coupling with H2O2. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2019, 30 (17): 16015–16029

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Liu S, Chen J, Liu D, et al. Improved visible light photocatalytic performance through an in situ composition-transforming synthesis of BiVO4/BiOBr photocatalyst. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2019, 21(8): 191–200

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang C, Zhou Y, Bao J, et al. Hierarchical honeycomb Br-, N-codoped TiO2 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2 production. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(22): 18796–18804

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cai J, Huang J, Ge M, et al. Immobilization of Pt nanoparticles via rapid and reusable electropolymerization of dopamine on TiO2 nanotube arrays for reversible SERS substrates and nonenzymatic glucose sensors. Small, 2017, 13(19): 1604240–1604251

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cai J, Huang J, Lai Y. 3D Au-decorated BiMoO6 nanosheet/TiO2 nanotube array heterostructure with enhanced UV and visible-light photocatalytic activity. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(31): 16412–16421

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Shang M, Wang W, Zhang L, et al. 3D Bi2WO6/TiO2 hierarchical heterostructure: controllable synthesis and enhanced visible photocatalytic degradation performances. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2009, 113(33): 14727–14731

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sauvage F, Di Fonzo F, Li Bassi A, et al. Hierarchical TiO2 photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells. Nano Letters, 2010, 10 (7): 2562–2567

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Xiang X B, Yu Y, Wen W, et al. Construction of hierarchical Ag@TiO2@ZnO nanowires with high photocatalytic activity. New Journal of Chemistry, 2018, 42(1): 265–271

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Duan Y, Zhou S, Chen Z, et al. Hierarchical TiO2 nanowire/microflower photoanode modified with Au nanoparticles for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. Catalysis Science & Technology, 2018, 8(5): 1395–1403

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chen S, Liang H, Shen M, et al. Yolk-like Fe3O4@C-Au@void@TiO2-Pd hierarchical microspheres with visible light-assisted enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dye. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing, 2018, 124 (4): 305–320

    Google Scholar 

  16. Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, et al. Solvothermal synthesis of hexagonal multi-walled tubular hierarchical structure TiO2 with co-exposed {0 1 0} and {1 0 1} plane for high photocatalytic activity. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2019, 30(9): 8259–8267

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Yan X, Xing Z, Cao Y, et al. In-situ C-N-S-tridoped single crystal black TiO2 nanosheets with exposed {0 0 1} facets as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2017, 219: 572–579

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhang W, He H, Tian Y, et al. Synthesis of uniform ordered mesoporous TiO2 microspheres with controllable phase junctions for efficient solar water splitting. Chemical Science, 2019, 10(6): 1664–1670

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu X, Zhu G, Wang X, et al. Progress in black titania: a new material for advanced photocatalysis. Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6(17): 1600452–1600480

    Google Scholar 

  20. Xin X, Xu T, Yin J, et al. Management on the location and concentration of Ti3+ in anatase TiO2 for defects-induced visible-light photocatalysis. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2015, 176: 354–362

    Google Scholar 

  21. Tan H, Zhao Z, Niu M, et al. A facile and versatile method for preparation of colored TiO2 with enhanced solar-driven photocatalytic activity. Nanoscale, 2014, 6(17): 10216–10223

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Tian J, Hu X, Yang H, et al. High yield production of reduced TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Applied Surface Science, 2016, 360: 738–743

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ariyanti D, Mills L, Dong J, et al. NaBH4 modified TiO2: Defect site enhancement related to its photocatalytic activity. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2017, 199: 571–576

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang W, He H, Tian Y, et al. Defect-engineering of mesoporous TiO2 microspheres with phase junctions for efficient visible-light driven fuel production. Nano Energy, 2019, 66: 104113–104140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Liu L, Jiang Y, Zhao H, et al. Engineering coexposed {0 0 1} and {1 0 1} facets in oxygen-deficient TiO2 nanocrystals for enhanced CO2 photoreduction under visible light. ACS Catalysis, 2016, 6 (2): 1097–1108

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Yang Y, Jin Q, Mao D, et al. Dually ordered porous TiO2-rGO composites with controllable light absorption properties for efficient solar energy conversion. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29 (4): 1604795–1604801

    Google Scholar 

  27. Takle S P, Apine O A, Ambekar J D, et al. Solar-light-active mesoporous Cr-TiO2 for photodegradation of spent wash: an in-depth study using QTOF LC-MS. RSC Advances, 2019, 9(8): 4226–4238

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Dutta S, Patra A K, De S, et al. Self-assembled TiO2 nanospheres by using a biopolymer as a template and its optoelectronic application. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2012, 4(3): 1560–1564

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Thaik N, Kooptarnond K, Meesane J, et al. Effect of anodizing time on morphology and wettability of TiO2 nanotubes prepared by carbon cathode. Materials Science Forum, 2019, 962: 145–150

    Google Scholar 

  30. Xiong J, He L. Influence of Na+ content on the structure and morphology of TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by hydrothermal transformation of alkaline titanate nanotubes. Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 2017, 12(1): 384–393

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Johari N D, Mohd Rosli Z, Juoi J M, et al. Influence of sol-gel pH and soaking time on the morphology, phases and grain size of TiO2 coating. Solid State Phenomena, 2017, 268: 219–223

    Google Scholar 

  32. Hu Z, Quan H, Chen Z, et al. New insight into an efficient visible light-driven photocatalytic organic transformation over CdS/TiO2 photocatalysts. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2018, 17(1): 51–59

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gaur L K, Kumar P, Kushavah D, et al. Laser induced phase transformation influenced by Co doping in TiO2 nanoparticles. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2019, 780: 25–34

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wang W, Liu Y, Qu J, et al. Nitrogen-doped TiO2 microspheres with hierarchical micro/nanostructures and rich dual-phase junctions for enhanced photocatalytic activity. RSC Advances, 2016, 6(47): 40923–40931

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Fang W, Xing M, Zhang J. A new approach to prepare Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 via NaBH4 reduction and hydrochloric acid treatment. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2014, 160: 240–246

    Google Scholar 

  36. Pan X, Yang M Q, Fu X, et al. Defective TiO2 with oxygen vacancies: synthesis, properties and photocatalytic applications. Nanoscale, 2013, 5(9): 3601–3614

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Wu Y, Fu Y, Zhang L, et al. Study of oxygen vacancies on different facets of anatase TiO2. Chinese Journal of Chemistry, 2019, 37(9): 922–928

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Melnyk V, Shymanovska V, Puchkovska G, et al. Low-temperature luminescence of different TiO2 modifications. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2005, 744: 573–576

    Google Scholar 

  39. Zhou J, Zhang Y, Zhao X S, et al. Photodegradation of benzoic acid over metal-doped TiO2. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2006, 45(10): 3503–3511

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Kernazhitsky L, Shymanovska V, Gavrilko T, et al. Room temperature photoluminescence of anatase and rutile TiO2 powders. Journal of Luminescence, 2014, 146: 199–204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Zhao X, Jiang C, Wang Y. Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride using mesoporous TiO2 modified by PVA-I. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2014, 8(10): 4060–4066

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Bouafia-Chergui S, Zemmouri H, Chabani M, et al. TiO2-photocatalyzed degradation of tetracycline: kinetic study, adsorption isotherms, mineralization and toxicity reduction. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2016, 57(35): 16670–16677

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Li D, Jia J, Zhang Y, et al. Preparation and characterization of nano-graphite/TiO2 composite photoelectrode for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of hazardous pollutant. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2016, 315: 1–10

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Ruiz-Camacho B, Vera J C B, Medina-Ramírez A, et al. EIS analysis of oxygen reduction reaction of Pt supported on different substrates. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42 (51): 30364–30373

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21405105), the Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (14ZR1429300), and the State Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institutes of Higher Education (LZJ1703).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China

    Qizhi Tian, Yajun Ji & Yiyi Ojan

  2. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China

    Abulikemu Abulizi

Authors
  1. Qizhi Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yajun Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yiyi Ojan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abulikemu Abulizi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yajun Ji or Abulikemu Abulizi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tian, Q., Ji, Y., Ojan, Y. et al. Synthesis of defect-rich hierarchical sponge-like TiO2 nanoparticles and their improved photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance. Front. Mater. Sci. 14, 286–295 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-020-0517-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-020-0517-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation