Preparation, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of Visible-Light-Driven CuO/SnO2/TiO2 Photocatalyst

Shifting the ultra-violet of titania to visible light driven photocatalysis can be realized by coupling with metallic or non-metallic elements. In this study, a highly efficient visible-light-responsive SnO2/CuO/TiO2 heterojunction were synthesized via sol-gel method followed by calcination at different temperatures. The crystalline structures, morphology, constituent contents, chemical state and optical properties of the samples were analyzed in detail. The photodegradation performances of the prepared samples were evaluated by studying the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol under UV and visible light irradiation. Among the series of synthesized nanocomposites, the one prepared using Sn(Cu)/Ti molar ratio of 0.1 (SC10) was found to be the most active photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants under investigation. This remarkably improved photocatalytic activity of SC10 could be attributed to the strong absorption of visible light and effective separation of photoinduced e(-)-h(+) pair. The mineralization of 2,4-dichlorophenol was investigated by HPLC/MS and IC analysis. The recycling experiments confirm that SnO2/CuO/TiO2 nanocomposite is essentially stable. The work may set foundation for application of the new photocatalyst of CuO/SnO2/TiO2 and make an important step forward remedying environmental pollution. [GRAPHICS] .