UV-visible-light-activated photocatalysts based on Bi2O3/Bi4Ti3O12/TiO2 double-heterostructured TiO2 nanobelts

Abstract

Surface engineering of TiO₂ nanobelts by the controlled assembly of functional heterostructures represents an effective approach for the synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts. In this study, we prepared a novel Bi₂O₃/Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂/TiO₂ double-heterostructured nanobelt by depositing bismuth hydroxide onto the TiO₂ nanobelt surface. A thermal annealing treatment led to the formation of a Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ interlayer that functioned as a bridge to link Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂. The double-heterostructured TiO₂ nanobelts exhibited better UV light photocatalytic performance than commercial P25. Importantly, the photocatalytic activity in the visible range was markedly better than that of Bi₂O₃ and Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ heterostructured TiO₂ nanobelts. The enhanced performance was accounted for by the material band structures where the matching was improved by the unique interlayer.