Large-scale preparation of rice-husk-derived mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 as efficient and promising photocatalysts for organic contaminants degradation
Abstract
Mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 photocatalysts with application prospect for organic contaminants degradation were prepared by utilizing rice husk (RH), an easy-available bioresource, as the biotemplate. Structures and physicochemical properties of RH-derived SiO2@TiO2 photocatalysts were systematically characterized and discussed. Results indicate the RH-derived mesoporous and thermal-stable template, which can postpone the anatase-rutile phase transition of TiO2 at high temperatures, is mainly consisted of tightly compacted amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles. Optimized calcination temperature of 700 °C is positive for preparing the most active RH-derived SiO2@TiO2, which has the anatase phase, mesoporous structure, proper crystalline degree (grain size of 22.75 nm), specific surface area of 41.13 m2/g, and high ability in separating the photogenerated electron-hole pairs, for removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solutions under both the xenon lamp and visible light irradiation. Moreover, large-scale preparation, stable, and recyclable properties of the photocatalysts are also confirmed, which makes them as promising photocatalysts for practical application.
- Publication:
-
Applied Surface Science
- Pub Date:
- February 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.10.275
- Bibcode:
- 2019ApSS..467.1187W
- Keywords:
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- Rice husk;
- SiO<SUB>2</SUB>@TiO<SUB>2</SUB> mesoporous structure;
- Biotemplate;
- Photocatalysis;
- Practical application