The Influence of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ Co-Doped β-NaYF₄ Up-Conversion Micron Tubes on Photocatalytic Activity of TiO₂ for Degradation of Organic Dyes

Abstract:

Pure phase of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped β-NaYF₄ micron tubes with up-conversion fluorescence were synthesized by hydrothermal method at 180°C for 24 hours. For better utilization of sunlight and improving photocatalytic efficiency of organic dyes, TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified by combining with β-NaYF₄ micron tubes to form TiO₂/NaYF₄ composite. Three different combination methods were studied and the photocatalytic activities of the corresponding samples were tested by measuring the degradation rate of rhodamine aqueous solution under illumination of simulated sunlight. The composite that TiO₂ nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of NaYF₄ shows better photocatalytic activity than other composites and was near twice efficiency of pure TiO₂ nanoparticles. The reason may be due to the high activity of heterostructure for TiO₂/NaYF₄ composite that will make it easy for sunlight absorption and photocatalytic degradation.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1118)
• Pages: 211-216
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1118.211
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Yuan Liang Ma, Xue Rong Zheng*, Wei Liu, Hai Qin Li, Hui Ming Ji
• Keywords: Heterostructure, Photocatalytic, TiO₂/NaYF₄ Composite, Upconversion Micron Tubes

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