Synthesis of self-gravity settling faceted-anatase TiO2 with Dominant (010) facets for the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen and study of the type of generated oxygen vacancy in faceted-TiO2

Abstract

In this study, faceted TiO2, predominately exposed with (010) facets (T-(010)), was synthesizedwith a two-step hydrothermal reaction and used for the degradation of acetaminophen (ACE) in an aqueous solution. T-(010) showed considerable photocatalytic reactivity, and its easy-settling (gravity-settling, ~97% of T-(010) settled after 30 min) property demonstrated acceptable reusability. A solid-state chemical reduction approach (NaBH4) at a mild temperature (300 ° C) was used for generation of an oxygen vacancy in T-(010) and P25 (commercial TiO2). The oxygen vacancy concentrations of the samples were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). It was also found that NaBH4 reduction induced the generation of both surface and subsurface Ti3+ on colored P25, but only surface Ti3+ species were formed on colored T-(010). The prepared colored TiO2 samples were successfully used for photocatalytic degradation of ACE in an aqueous solution under visible light illumination. © 2018 by the authors.