Synthesis of Three-dimensionally Ordered Macroporous TiO2 and TiO2/WO3 Composites and Their Photocatalytic Performance

This work presents the characterization and preparation of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous TiO 2 and TiO 2 /WO 3 composite nanoparticles with enhanced visible-light-responsive properties for rhodamine B (Rh B) photodegradation. The 3DOM TiO 2 and TiO 2 /WO 3 composites were prepared through a dip-infiltrating sol-gel process using a polystyrene (PS) colloidal crystal template. The materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, XPS and UV/Vis. The 3DOM TiO 2 /WO 3 composite structures ranged from well-defined 3DOM structures, which are highly ordered and interconnected via small pore windows, to collapsed three-dimensional structures as the WO 3 content increased. The photoresponse range and specific surface area of the composite increased with less than 0.025 g of WCl 6 . The 3DOM TiO 2 /WO 3 composite with less than 0.025 g of WCl 6 exhibited a higher catalytic activity than 3DOM TiO 2 for the photocatalytic degradation of Rh B under simulated sunlight illumination.