Abstract

Presented work show detailed effect of the exposed crystal facets of anatase TiO2 on the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The most important existing information about the geometry and electronic properties of the low index anatase facets are summarised. During the performed works, anatase nanoparticles with the dominant exposition of either {0 0 1}, {1 0 0} or {1 0 1} crystal facets were prepared and their photocatalytic activity was tested. A significant effect of the exposed crystal facets was observed for the degradation and mineralisation of compounds, such as phenol, toluene, ibuprofen, carbamazepine and acetaminophen. Overall results have indicated significant effect of the exposed facet, with stoichiometric {1 0 1} being the most suitable for both degradation and mineralisation of all studied compounds, with the observed degradation rate constant being approximately 2-3 higher than other nanostructures. Furthermore, after combining with the BaFe12O19 ferrite, different effects of both electronic and magnetic interactions between both phases were observed, depending on the exposed TiO2 facets. Finally, doping of the obtained structures allowed to maximise activity of the {1 0 1} facets, simultaneously showing different effect of the same dopant, depending on the surface electronic structure of the material.

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