Optimization of TiO2/ZSM-5 photocatalysts: Energy band engineering by solid state diffusion method with calcination

In this work, based on a type of energy band engineering strategy as calcination , TiO 2 /ZSM-5 hybrids for photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) in water under UV light have been developed via a facile solid state diffusion method. Effects of varied calcination temperatures on TiO 2 /ZSM-5 hybrids have been systematically characterized including XRD , FT-IR, SEM, TEM , EDX mapping, BET, PL , EIS , UV–vis DRS, active species trapping experiments and Mott-Schottky curves. It was found that the calcination temperature influenced photocatalytic activity , typically on physicochemical properties of materials and adjustment for the energy gap and band position of TiO 2 . The XRD analysis revealed that hybridization of ZSM-5 kept the crystal phase of TiO 2 as anatase unchanged with the high-rising calcined temperature. The optimum sample calcined at 450 °C named as Z-T (450) presented nearly 99% degradation rate for MO, owing to optimal uniform distribution, highest specific surface area and best charge separation/transfer efficiency. The FT-IR comparison result that the functional groups and peak strength of the used catalyst were alike as before, showed the stability of photocatalyst . Adoption of calcination strategy does provide not only a clean, low-cost and highly efficient path to approach the complete degradation of azo dyes , but also a chance for photocatalytic technology to fulfill the implementation in industrial applications.