Preparation and photocatalytic properties of flower-like sphere Ti3C2/TiO2 composites

Three-dimensional (3D) flower-like sphere Ti3C2/TiO2 composite materials were derived from two-dimensional (2D) layered Ti3C2. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis DRS and PL. The photocatalytic activity of Ti3C2/TiO2 samples synthesized at different temperatures was compared. The results showed that Ti3C2/TiO2 synthesized at 500 ℃ exhibited better photocatalytic degradation efficiency for acid fuchsin (AF). After 90 min of photocatalytic reaction, the degradation rate reached 97.57%. By virtue of its high conductivity and Schottky barrier formed at the interface with TiO2, Ti3C2 effectively improved the charge separation rate and inhibited the recombination of electron hole pairs, thus improving the photocatalytic activity of the material. In addition, the photocatalyst had good stability. After five cycles of use, the AF degradation rate could still reach 86.39%. Active species capture experiments indicated that holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2-) were the main active substances for AF degradation. © 2022, Editorial Office of FINE CHEMICALS. All right reserved.