TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of toluene

Volatile organic compounds including toluene have high carcinogenicity and are very harmful to human health. In this work, an efficient nanocomposite photocatalyst of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic performances of catalysts were analyzed by the degradation of toluene. The toluene removal efficiency of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) was 23.28% higher than that of MIL-101(Cr), and 26.88% higher than that of bare TiO2. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope results confirmed the successful synthesis of nanocomposite photocatalyst constructed of TiO2 nanoparticles and regular octahedral MIL-101(Cr). Compared with bare TiO2 nanoparticles, the specific surface area of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) was improved from 49.4 to 136.08 m2 g−1. The reduced photoluminescence intensity of nanocomposite indicates the effective charge separation, which can increase the lifetime of charge carriers and improve the efficiency of interfacial charge transfer to the surface. The enhanced removal efficiency of the composites are mainly owing to the expansion of light response range, the suppress of electron (e−) and holes (h+) recombination, the promotion of the electron transfer and the improved toluene adsorption ability of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr). In this work, an efficient nanocomposite photocatalyst of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The toluene removal efficiency of TiO2@MIL-101(Cr) was 23.28% higher than that of MIL-101(Cr), and 26.88% higher than that of bare TiO2.