Enhanced photocatalytic activity of palladium decorated TiO₂ nanofibers containing anatase-rutile mixed phase

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) based material is probably the most promising environmentally friendly photocatalyst, with low cost, high photocatalytic activity, and excellent photo-stability as demonstrated in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and in abatement of organic pollutant. In this study, sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were prepared by alkaline hydrothermal synthesis at first. Then, a quick screening was carried out to find the appropriate calcination condition for preparing the high catalytically active titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO₂ NFs) with anatase-rutile mixed phase (anatase-rutile TiO₂ NFs). The crystalline structure of anatase-rutile TiO₂ NFs was analyzed by Raman spectrometer and X-ray diffraction meter. The anatase-rutile TiO₂ NFs calcined at 800 °C for 4 h shows the highest decomposition rate of the brilliant green, higher than that of the commercial photocatalyst - Degussa P25. Furthermore, palladium based nanoparticles was decorated on the surface of anatase-rutile TiO₂ NFs to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen performance. We also developed a method to make use of catalyst materials for large-area coatings and freestanding films by preparing the cellulose/catalyst composite films. The obtained catalysts in this study might be a reasonable alternative for the commercial TiO₂, Degussa P25, for photocatalytic applications in the decomposition of organic dyes and photocatalytic hydrogen generation.