Preparation and Visible-light Photocatalytic Activity of Mesoporous H3PW12O40/TiO2 Composite

Wormhole-like mesostructured H3PW12O40/TiO2 composite catalyst was prepared by the combination of sol-gel chemistry and solvothermal treatment technique in the presence of a triblock copolymer surfactant. Results of Raman spectra, XRD, BJH pore distribution and TEM image indicate that the composite possess a three-dimensionally interconnected pore mesostructure with a high porosity and large pore size. Keggin units were homo-geneously dispersed throughout the composite. This composite can catalyze the photodegradation of crystal violet (CV) under visible-light. The photocatalytic activity is much higher than that of pure TiO2 or H3PW12O40/TiO2 composite prepared in the absence of the surfactant.