Photocatalysis enhancement of CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+@TiO2 composite powders

CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+@TiO2 composite powders were synthesized by a sol-gel method under mild conditions (i.e. low temperature and ambient pressure). The as-prepared powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic behavior of the TiO2-base surfaces was evaluated by the degradation of nitrogen monoxide gas. It suggested that CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+@TiO2 composite powders were composed of anatase titania and that CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+. TiO2 particles were deposited on the surface of CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ to form uniform film. CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+@TiO2 composite powders exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO2 under visible light. And the result also clearly indicated that the long afterglow phosphor absorbed and stored lights for the TiO2 to remain photocatalytic activity in the dark.