Preparation of ultra-thin TiO2 shell by Peroxo Titanium complex (PTC) solution-based green surface modification, and photocatalytic activity of Homo-core/shell TiO2

Abstract Here, we report a discussion on the development of a new and sustainable green surface modification process to improve environmental pollution by modifying the surface and structural properties of nanostructured materials. Homo-core/shell TiO2 (HCST) was successfully synthesized through a peroxo titanium complex (PTC) solution-based surface modification process. The PTC solution is easily synthesized by the interfacial ion diffusion-redox reaction of Ti-metal and successfully forms an ultra-thin TiO2 shell (∼2 nm) on the P-25 surface. The presence of these TiO2 shells not only causes high organic pollutant adsorption properties but also accelerates the photocatalytic activity along with the rich hydroxyl groups and oxygen vacancies present on the shell surface. The photocatalytic properties depend on the mixing ratio of the PTC solution and the heat treatment temperature and exhibited methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency of up to 99% or more and excellent recycling properties. Under optimal conditions, the rate constant value of HCST was calculated to be 17.14 x 10-3 min-1, about 2.7 times higher than P-25 through the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) equation.