Y2O3 modified TiO2 nanosheets enhanced the photocatalytic removal of 4-chlorophenol and Cr (VI) in sun light

Abstract Y 2 O 3 modified TiO 2 nanosheets (Y 2 O 3 @TNSs), capable of exhibiting sun light, were synthesized through one pot/hydrothermal method using Y (NO 3 ) 3 as precursor. Multiple techniques were applied to investigate the structures, morphologies, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared samples. The Y 2 O 3 @TNSs, with thickness of approximately 3–4 nm, large surface area of 240–350 m 2 /g, were full of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles highly dispersed on the surface. The introduction of Y 2 O 3 influenced the crystallinity and the structure evolution of TNSs, besides, improved the light absorption ability. The surface photo-current and fluorescence spectral studies revealed that the photo-generated charge carrier separation efficiency could be improved by an appropriate modification. The degradation activity of this sun-light-induced photocatalytic has enhanced apparently on 4-Chlorophenol and K 2 Cr 2 O 7 solution, the degradation efficiency of 4-Chlorophenol reached 5.69 times than that of P25, and the maximum TOC removal obtained after 120 min was 67.6%, indicating that most organic compounds were released from the solution. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity was attributed to the synergetic effect of the Y 2 O 3 and TNSs, which led to a fast separation and slow recombination of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. Consequently, the high efficiency in the experiments showed a promising application of the catalyst in the oxidation or reduction degradation of organic pollutants.