A high-efficiency photocatalyst, flaky anatase@natural rutile composite using one-step microwave hydrothermal synthesis

A flaky photocatalytic composite of anatase@natural rutile(A@NR) was obtained using one-step microwave hydrothermal synthesis, which was designed to overcome the low photocatalytic efficiency stemming from high electron-hole recombination and a narrow photoresponse range. The characterizations were completely elucidated using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer Emmett Teller surface area, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra. The efficiency of A@NR in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was determined to be close to that of P25 under UV light and superior to that of P25 under visible light. The excellent photocatalytic activity results from the synergistic effects of substituting Fe ions, which alter the band structure, and the isomerism of anatase and natural rutile, which separates the photogenerated electron holes. The calculated apparent quantum efficiencies of 32.8 and 12.9% for A@NR, under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively, show a higher catalytic activity and a more effective photoinduced electron-hole separation in A@NR than in P25.