Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Ce, H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ co-doped TiO₂ Hollow Fibers

A series of Ce, H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ co-doped TiO₂ hollow fibers photocatalysts have been prepared by sol-gel method using ammonium ceric nitrate, H3PW12O40 and tetrabutyltitanate as pre-cursors and cotton fibers as template, followed by calcination at 500 oC in N₂ atmosphere for 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption mea-surements, and UV-Vis spectroscopy are employed to characterize the morphology, crystal structure, surface structure, and optical absorption properties of the samples. The photo-catalytic performance of the samples has been studied by photodegradation phenol in water under UV and visible light irradiation. The results show that the TiO₂ fiber materials have hollow structures, and the co-doped TiO₂ hollow fibers exhibit higher photocatalytic activi-ties for the degradation of phenol than un-doped, single-doped TiO₂ hollow fibers under UV and visible light. In addition, the recyclability of co-doped TiO₂ fibers is also confirmed that the TiO₂ fiber retains ca. 90% of its activity after being used four times. It is shown that the co-doped TiO₂ fibers can be activated by visible light and may be potentially applied to the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants. The synergistic effect of Ce and H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ co-doping plays an important role in improving the photocatalytic activity.