Efficient NiO/F–TiO2 nanocomposites for 4-chlorophenol photodegradation

This work aimed to study NiO/F–TiO2 composites in the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol. F–TiO2 support was prepared by in-situ fluorination of TiO2 using the sol-gel method. The heterostructured materials were prepared by wet impregnation method, varying NiO content (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% wt). The solids were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The characterization studies showed that the coupling of TiO2 with fluoride ions promoted the generation of ≡Ti–F surface species that could be responsible for the decrease in the recombination frequency of charge carriers and the increased photoactivity. In addition, it was found that the coupling of NiO/F–TiO2 semiconductors improved the photocatalytic properties of the fluorinated support, obtaining higher percentages of degradation and mineralization of the phenolic contaminant. These results are possibly a consequence of factors such as the formation of larger crystallites, lower band gap energies, and the generation of p-n type interfacial heterojunctions that potentiate the proper separation of electron-hole pairs. An effect of NiO content on photoactivity was observed, being a percentage of 1.0% wt the optimum in this photocatalytic treatment. [Display omitted] •The NiO/F–TiO2 heterojunction system improves the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol.•The NiO percentage affects photocatalytic activity, being 1.0% wt. The optimal content.•A better dispersion of NiO on F–TiO2 improves the photocatalytic activity due to slightly lower energy gaps (Eg).•NiO favors the generation of p-n heterojunctions promoting charge transfer and separation of the electron/hole pair.