One-pot synthesis of Fe2O3/Y2O3@TNS for enhanced photocatalytic and adsorption properties

TiO2-based nanosheets (TNS) modified with Fe(2)O(3)and Y(2)O(3)particles (Fe2O3/Y2O3@TNS), possessing a laminar structure with large specific surface area of 382 m(2)g(-1), were synthesizedviaa one-pot hydrothermal method. The optimized Fe2O3/Y2O3@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, Fe2O3/Y2O3@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.