Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic behavior of WO 3-fullerene/TiO 2 catalysts under visible light

Abstract

WO 3-treated fullerene/TiO 2 composites (WO 3-fullerene/TiO 2) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis analysis. A methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. Excellent photocatalytic degradation of a MO solution was observed using the WO 3-fullerene, fullerene-TiO 2, and WO 3-fullerene/TiO 2 composites under visible light. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed, and WO 3-fullerene/TiO 2 has the best photocatalytic activity; it may attribute to the increase of the photo-absorption effect by the fullerene and the cooperative effect of the WO 3. © 2011 Meng et al.