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A simple, biogenic approach using a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) was used to modify commercial TiO2 nanoparticles, resulting in a narrowed band gap and visible light-induced photocatalytic activities.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Abstract This paper reports a simple, biogenic and green approach to obtain narrow band gap and visible light-active TiO 2 nanoparticles. Commercial white TiO 2 ( w -TiO 2 ) was treated in the cathode chamber of a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), which produced modified light gray TiO 2 ( g -TiO 2 ) nanoparticles. The DRS, PL, XRD, EPR, HR-TEM, and XPS were performed to understand the band gap decline of g -TiO 2 . The optical study revealed a significant decrease in the band gap of the g -TiO 2 (E g = 2.80 eV) compared to the w -TiO 2 (E g = 3.10 eV). The XPS revealed variations in the surface states, composition, Ti 4+ to Ti 3+ ratio, and oxygen vacancies in the g -TiO 2 . The Ti 3+ and oxygen vacancy-induced enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of g -TiO 2 was confirmed by degrading different model dyes. The enhanced photoelectrochemical response under visible light irradiation further supported the improved performance of the g -TiO 2 owing to a decrease in the electron transfer resistance and an increase in charge transfer rate. During the TiO 2 treatment process, electricity generation in MFC was also observed, which was ~0.3979 V corresponding to a power density of 70.39 mW/m 2 . This study confirms narrow band gap TiO 2 can be easily obtained and used effectively as photocatalysts and photoelectrode material.

Key findings

  • The band gap of the modified TiO2 nanoparticles (Eg = 2.80 eV) was significantly decreased compared to the commercial TiO2 (Eg = 3.10 eV).
  • The XPS analysis revealed variations in the surface states, composition, and oxygen vacancies in the modified TiO2.
  • The modified TiO2 nanoparticles showed visible light-induced photocatalytic activities and power generation.

Keywords

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopyPhotocatalysisVisible spectrumBand gapIrradiationPhotochemistry

Identifiers

DOI
10.1038/s41598-018-19617-2
Journal
Scientific Reports
Year
2018