Fe2O3 modification promotes the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanotube confined Pd nanoparticles

Abstract It is revealed that TiO 2 nanotube confined Pd nanoparticles (Pd-in-TiO 2 NT) processed better photocatalytic degradation activity than Pd nanoparticles loaded on outer wall of TiO 2 nanotube (Pd-out-TiO 2 NT). Moreover, by anchoring Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on Pd-in-TiO 2 NT (Pd-in/Fe 2 O 3 -TiO 2 NT), the photocatalytic activity is dramatically improved as evidenced by the accelerated photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. As measured by photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is significantly improved when the outside surface of TiO 2 NT was modified by Fe 2 O 3 . X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy informs that the Fe 2 O 3 modification can efficiently modulate the electron density distribution of the TiO 2 nanotube, thus improves the catalytic oxidation of Pd in Pd-in/Fe 2 O 3 -TiO 2 NT. This work provides a novel method to construct high active catalysts for environmental prevention by the modulation of electronic state on TiO 2 nanotube confinement effect.