Amalgamated Titanium Oxide-Carbon Hollow Sphere/Nickel-Layered Double Hydroxide as an Efficient Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Methyl Orange

Abstract

Investigating efficient and selective photocatalysts for water treatment can help address the energy crisis and numerous environmental issues associated with the use of current fossil fuels. As a shell, we used nickel-layered double hydroxide nanosheets on top of an anatase TiO2-carbon core to create an integrated photocatalyst. Materials were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, and XPS methods for their physical-chemical properties. Using N2 adsorption/desorption at −196 °C, BET-surface area and pore structure were determined. Diffuse reflectance UV–vis was used to determine the photocatalysts band gap. For the TiO2-C/NiLDH amalgam, showed the lowest band gap (3.1 eV) with an exceptional ability to degrade methyl orange as an organic pollutant. Core–shell symmetry in the TiO2-C/NiLDH amalgam provides a larger surface area (72 m2/g) for interfacial interaction and a wider base for efficient charge transfer. In subsequent tests, this photocatalyst showed a remarkable level of stability and water treatment efficacy. That the TiO2-C/NiLDH amalgam can be used to alter solar energy and protect the environment has been demonstrated by these promising results.