Enhanced photocatalytic activity of palladium decorated TiO2 nanofibers containing anatase-rutile mixed phase

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) based material is probably the most promising environmentally friendly photocatalyst, with low cost, high photocatalytic activity, and excellent photostability as demonstrated in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and in abatement of organic pollutant. In this study, sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were prepared by alkaline hydrothermal synthesis at first. Then, a quick screening was carried out to find the appropriate calcination condition for preparing the high catalytically active titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO2 NFs) with anatase-rutile mixed phase (anatase-rutile TiO2 NFs). The crystalline structure of anatase-rutile TiO2 NFs was analyzed by Raman spectrometer and X-ray diffraction meter. The anatase-rutile TiO2 NFs calcined at 800 degrees C for 4 h shows the highest decomposition rate of the brilliant green, higher than that of the commercial photocatalyst - Degussa P25. Furthermore, palladium based nanoparticles was decorated on the surface of anatase-rutile TiO2 NFs to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen performance. We also developed a method to make use of catalyst materials for large-area coatings and freestanding films by preparing the cellulose/catalyst composite films. The obtained catalysts in this study might be a reasonable alternative for the commercial TiO2, Degussa P25, for photocatalytic applications in the decomposition of organic dyes and photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.