A phase separation in a protonated layered nickel titanate to form Ni-doped anatase/rutile TiO2 nanocomposite with efficient visible-light responsive photocatalytic activity

Abstract

We report a simple methodology for the preparation of an efficient visible-light responsive TiO2 photocatalyst through acid treatment of a lepidocrocite-type layered nickel cesium titanate (Cs0.7Ti1.65Ni0.35O4) for interlayer protonation and subsequent calcination at different temperatures (400–600°C) to induce structural transformation. The Ni-doped anatase/rutile nanocomposite possessing a morphology similar to that of protonated layered nickel titanate is obtained at all calcination temperatures. The sample obtained at 600°C exhibits the highest visible-light responsive photocatalytic activity for decomposition of the aqueous methylene blue dye under visible-light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. The activity is 14 times higher than that of P25 (standard TiO2 photocatalyst) modified with Ni2+ and 3 times higher than that of NiTiO3 (visible-light responsive photocatalyst). The efficient visible-light responsive photocatalytic activity is ascribable to the visible-light absorption ability of the TiO2 phase owing to Ni-doping. Also, an efficient electron transfer across anatase–rutile interfaces for inhibition of charge recombination could be responsible for the activity. This methodology is a new route for efficient visible-light responsive photocatalysts based on TiO2 doped with various elemental species. This is because lepidocrocite-type layered titanates are available in a variety of chemical compositions.