One-pot synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 /Y 2 O 3 @TNS for enhanced photocatalytic and adsorption properties

TiO 2 -based nanosheets (TNS) modified with Fe 2 O 3 and Y 2 O 3 particles (Fe 2 O 3 /Y 2 O 3 @TNS), possessing a laminar structure with large specific surface area of 382 m 2 g −1 , were synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The optimized Fe 2 O 3 /Y 2 O 3 @TNS (Fe/Y/Ti = 0.1 at%: 0.75 at%: 1) exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency due to the synergistic effect, and the photodegradation rate towards RhB and K 2 Cr 2 O 7 solutions were 5.82-fold and 2.35-fold higher, respectively, as compared to TNS under visible light. Simultaneous photocatalytic degradation in the Cr( vi )–phenol coexisting system revealed that there was synergism between Cr( vi ) reduction and phenol degradation for promoting photocatalytic efficiency. Besides, Fe 2 O 3 /Y 2 O 3 @TNS demonstrated strong adsorption and excellent photocatalytic regeneration performance for high-chroma crystal violet (CV), showing potential application in the removal of organic or inorganic pollutants. Based on photoluminescence (PL) spectra and photocurrent (SPC) methodology, the separation efficiency of photogenerated e − –h + pairs could be significantly strengthened. A possible mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light was proposed.