Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic activity of Cu-grafted rutile fine powder from selective leaching of BaTiO3

Abstract

The influences of drying temperature on the crystallinity and specific surface area of TiO2 (rutile) powders prepared from acid treatments of BaTiO3 were investigated. Then, Cu was grafted onto the obtained powders using two sources: CuCl2 and (CH3COO) 2Cu (CuAc2). The resultant powders were bundle-like rutile nanorods. Although a freeze-dried sample showed lower crystallinity and specific surface area, they increased concomitantly with increasing drying temperature. Results suggest that a hydrothermal-like reaction occurs in the samples during drying. With grafting of Cu ions, photocatalytic performance for the decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol (IPA) under visible light was improved. The optimal Cu concentration of the solutions for grafting was around 0.1%. Samples treated using a CuAc2 solution exhibited better photocatalytic activities than those treated using a CuCl2 solution. © 2012 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.