One-pot synthesis of Fe2O3/Y2O3@TNS for enhanced photocatalytic and adsorption properties

Abstract

TiO₂-based nanosheets (TNS) modified with Fe₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ particles (Fe₂O₃/Y₂O₃@TNS), possessing a laminar structure with large specific surface area of 382 m² g⁻¹, were synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The optimized Fe₂O₃/Y₂O₃@TNS (Fe/Y/Ti = 0.1 at%: 0.75 at%: 1) exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency due to the synergistic effect, and the photodegradation rate towards RhB and K₂Cr₂O₇ solutions were 5.82-fold and 2.35-fold higher, respectively, as compared to TNS under visible light. Simultaneous photocatalytic degradation in the Cr(VI)–phenol coexisting system revealed that there was synergism between Cr(VI) reduction and phenol degradation for promoting photocatalytic efficiency. Besides, Fe₂O₃/Y₂O₃@TNS demonstrated strong adsorption and excellent photocatalytic regeneration performance for high-chroma crystal violet (CV), showing potential application in the removal of organic or inorganic pollutants. Based on photoluminescence (PL) spectra and photocurrent (SPC) methodology, the separation efficiency of photogenerated e⁻–h⁺ pairs could be significantly strengthened. A possible mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light was proposed.