Ag-Enhanced TiO2-x/C Composites with Metal-Organic Frameworks as Precursors for Photodegradation of Methyl Blue

A series of Ag-enhanced TiO2-x/C composites (Ag/TiO2-x/C composites) with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors were prepared, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the UV-light driven photodegradation behaviors of methyl blue (MB). The as-obtained samples were characterized by several techniques such as SEM, XRD, N-2-adsorption, XPS, UV/Vis spectrophotometry and UV/Vis diffuse-reflectance spectra. The best photocatalytic performance was achieved in Ag/TiO2-x/C composite pyrolyzed at 1000 degrees C (ATC-P10) due to rapid capture of electrons caused by silver doping, higher density of TiO2-x lattice oxygen vacancies for better trapping of electrons, and high surface area due to reduction and evaporation of metallic Zn. No obvious deactivation was observed after 10 cycles of UV-light degradation of MB under the same experimental conditions. This report reveals a new approach to prepare stable and highly efficient UV-light-driven photocatalysts for organic pollutants in water.