Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Enhanced and suppressed effects of ionic liquid on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2

  • Published:
Adsorption Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium terafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF4), on the photocatalytic performance of Degussa P25 TiO2 were investigated. Also, the photocatalysis mechanism was systematically analyzed by conducting different reactive radical trapping experiments. The results showed that photogenerated electrons were the main reactive species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO), while •OH radicals and photogenerated holes played an important role in the photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B (RhB). The addition of ionic liquid (IL) could slightly enhance the photocatalytic degradation rate of MO because adsorption of [Bmim]+ ions on the TiO2 surface not only enhanced traping and transfer of photogenerated electrons, but also facilitated adsorption of negatively charged MO. On the contrary, IL suppressed the degradation rate of RhB because [Bmim]+ on the TiO2 surface not only hindered the access of positively charged RhB to TiO2, but also restricted the diffusion of positively charged holes to the TiO2/solution interface.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen, Y.X., Yang, S.Y., Wang, K., Lou, L.P.: Role of primary active species and TiO2 surface characteristic in UV-illuminated photodegradation of acid orange 7. J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 172, 47–54 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y.W., Chan, R.C.Y., Wong, P.: Disinfection of legionella pneumophila by photocatalytic oxidation. Water Res. 41, 842–852 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, W., Termin, A., Hoffmann, M.R.: The role of metal ion dopants in quantum-sized TiO2: correlation between photoreactivity and charge carrier recombination dynamics. J. Phys. Chem. C 98, 13669–13679 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, K.L., Miao, Z.J., Liu, Z.M., Zhang, Z.F., Han, B.X., An, G.M., Miao, S.D., Xie, Y.: Facile synthesis of high quality TiO2 nanocrystals in ionic liquid via a microwave-assisted process. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 6362–6363 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont, J., de Souza, R.F., Suarez, P.A.Z.: Ionic liquid (molten salt) phase organometallic catalysis. Chem. Rev. 102, 3667–3692 (2002)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan, W.H., Cui, M.M., Liu, H., Wang, C., Shi, Z.W., Tan, C., Yang, X.P.: Nano-TiO2 enhances the toxicity of copper in natural water to Daphnia magna. Environ. Pollut. 159, 729–734 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, S.N., Bard, A.J.: Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of cyanide ion in aqueous solutions at titanium dioxide powder. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 99, 303–304 (1977)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujishima, A., Honda, K.: Electrochemical photolysis of water at a semiconductor electrode. Nature 238, 37–38 (1972)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gazi, S., Rajakumar, A., Singh, N.D.P.: Photodegradation of organic dyes in the presence of [Fe(III)-salen]Cl complex and H2O2 under visible light irradiation. J. Hazard. Mater. 183, 894–901 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, S.J., Dong, S.J., Wang, E.: Constructing carbon nanotube/Pt nanoparticle hybrids using an imidazolium-salt-based ionic liquid as a linker. Adv. Mater. 22, 1269–1272 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, M.R., Martin, S.T., Choi, W., Bahnemann, D.W.: Environmental applications of semiconductor photocatalysis. Chem. Rev. 95, 69–96 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, S.W., Zhu, J., Wu, L., Wang, X.X., Liu, P., Zhang, Y.F., Li, Z.H.: Effect of fluorination on photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B over In(OH)(y)S(z): promotion or suppression? J. Phys. Chem. C 115, 460–467 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, G.L., Zhang, S.C., Xu, T.G., Zhu, Y.F.: Fluorination of ZnWO4 photocatalyst and influence on the degradation mechanism for 4-chlorophenol. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42, 8516–8521 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ksibi, M., Rossignol, S., Tatibouët, J.M., Trapalis, C.: Synthesis and solid characterization of nitrogen and sulfur-doped TiO2 photocatalysts active under near visible light. Mater. Lett. 62, 4204–4206 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C.P., Yeh, M.H., Vittal, R., Ho, K.C.: Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with a charge transfer layer comprising two ionic liquids and a carbon material. J. Mater. Chem. 21, 15471–15478 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q., Guo, B.D., Yu, J.G., Ran, J.R., Zhang, B.H., Yan, H.J., Gong, J.R.: Highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production of CdS-cluster-decorated grapheme nanosheets. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133, 10878–10884 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X.Z., Liu, H., Cheng, L.F., Tong, H.J.: Photocatalytic oxidation using a new catalyst-TiO2 microsphere–for water and wastewater treatment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 37, 3989–3994 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G.M., Li, X.Z., Zhao, J.C., Horikoshi, S., Hidaka, H.: Photooxidation mechanism of dye alizarin red in TiO2 dispersions under visible illumination: an experimental and theoretical examination. J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 153, 221–229 (2000)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.W., Yu, J.G., Cheng, B., Jaroniec, M.: Fluorinated semiconductor photocatalysts: tunable synthesis and unique properties. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 173, 35–53 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.W., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Tunable photocatalytic selectivity of hollow TiO2 microspheres composed of anatase polyhedra with exposed {001} facets. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132, 11914–11916 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.W., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Anatase TiO2 with dominant high-energy {001} facets: synthesis, properties, and applications. Chem. Mater. 23, 4085–4093 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv, K.L., Cheng, B., Yu, J.G., Liu, G.: Fluorine ions-mediated morphology control of anatase TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 14, 5349–5362 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, H., Choi, W.: Effects of TiO2 surface fluorination on photocatalytic reactions and photoelectrochemical behaviors. J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 4086–4093 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J.H., Kim, S., Bard, A.J.: Novel carbon-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with high aspect ratios for efficient solar water splitting. Nano Lett. 6, 24–28 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi, L.F., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Preparation and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity of CdS-sensitized Pt/TiO2 nanosheets with exposed (001) facets. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13, 8915–8923 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C., Fan, W.H., Wang, W.X.: Role of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the elevated uptake and retention of cadmium and zinc in Daphnia magna. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46, 469–476 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vohra, M.S., Kim, S., Choi, W.: Effects of surface fluorination of TiO2 on the photocatalytic degradation of tetramethylammonium. J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 160, 55–60 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Zhang, X.H., Liu, H., Li, X.Z., Li, W.Z., Xu, H.Y.: Reaction kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of sulfosalicylic acid using TiO2 microspheres. J. Hazard. Mater. 163, 1101–1106 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Q.J., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts. Chem. Soc. Rev. 41, 782–796 (2012a)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Q.J., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Synergetic effect of MoS2 and grapheme as cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production activity of TiO2 nanoparticles. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 6575–6578 (2012b)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Q.J., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: Tunable photocatalytic selectivity of TiO2 films consisted of flower-like microspheres with exposed {001} facets. Chem. Commun. 47, 4532–4534 (2011a)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Q.J., Yu, J.G., Wang, W.G., Jaroniec, M.: Nitrogen self-doped nanosized TiO2 sheets with exposed {001} facets for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. Chem. Commun. 47, 6906–6908 (2011b)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J.G., Qi, L.F., Jaroniec, M.: Hydrogen production by photocatalytic water splitting over Pt/TiO2 nanosheets with exposed (001) facets. J. Phys. Chem. C 114, 13118–13125 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J.G., Wang, W.G., Cheng, B., Su, B.L.: Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 powders by hydrothermal surface fluorination treatment. J. Phys. Chem. C 113, 6743–6750 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D.Q., Li, G.S., Yang, X.F., Yu, J.C.: A micrometer-size TiO2 single-crystal photocatalyst with remarkable 80% level of reactive facets. Chem. Commun. 29, 4381–4383 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Liu, S.W., Yu, J.G., Jaroniec, M.: A simple cation exchange approach to Bi-doped ZnS hollow spheres with enhanced UV and visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity. J. Mater. Chem. 21, 14655–14662 (2011a)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Yu, J.G., Zhang, Y.M., Li, Q., Gong, J.R.: Visible light photocatalytic H2-production activity of CuS/ZnS porous nanosheets based on photoinduced interfacial charge transfer. Nano Lett. 11, 4774–4779 (2011b)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Liu, H., Li, W., Cui, G., Xu, H., Han, K., Long, Q.: Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of aromatic contaminants with simultaneous H2 generation: comparison of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4-chlorophenol. Catal. Lett. 125, 371–375 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang, J.D., Dai, W.X., Tian, Q.F., Li, Z.H., Xie, L.Y., Wang, J.X., Liu, P., Shi, X.C., Wang, D.H.: Photocatalytic degradation of RhB over TiO2 bilayer films: effect of defects and their location. Langmuir 26, 9686–9694 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by the 973 program (2013CB632402), 863 Program (2012AA062701), NSFC (51072154, 21177100 and 51272199) and Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2010CDA078). Also, this work was financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and Self-determined and Innovative Research Funds of SKLWUT.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122#, Wuhan, 430070, People’s Republic of China

    Lifang Qi & Jiaguo Yu

  2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Mietek Jaroniec

Authors
  1. Lifang Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiaguo Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mietek Jaroniec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mietek Jaroniec.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Qi, L., Yu, J. & Jaroniec, M. Enhanced and suppressed effects of ionic liquid on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 . Adsorption 19, 557–561 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9478-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9478-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation