Ferrihydrite surface functionalization of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles as flower-like core-shell heterostructure with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties

The development of titania-based hybrid nanostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity has been a key research area recently. The present study addresses current limitations of the TiO2 based composite photocatalyst by newly-experimental designing of flower-like multifunctional h...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gherca, Daniel, Borhan, Adrian Iulian, Herea, Daniel-Dumitru, Minuti, Anca Emanuela, Stavila, Cristina, Danceanu, Camelia Mihaela, Popescu, Dana-Georgeta, Borca, Camelia Nicoleta, Huthwelker, Thomas, Stoian, George, Chiriac, Horia, Gómez Polo, Cristina, Ababei, Gabriel, Lupu, Nicoleta
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/54355
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/54355
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ferrihydrite surface functionalization
Core-shell nanostructure
TiO2 based heterostructure
Heterogeneous photocatalysis
Oxygen evolution reaction
Descripción
Sumario:The development of titania-based hybrid nanostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity has been a key research area recently. The present study addresses current limitations of the TiO2 based composite photocatalyst by newly-experimental designing of flower-like multifunctional hybrid nanostructure with visible light capability through Ferrihydrite (Fh) surface TiO2 functionalization. Here, we present a versatile nanocompartimentalization process of which, core anatase TiO2 nanoparticles are emebeded into Fh lamellar shell. Physico-chemical properties related to the chemical structure and morphology of the prepared nanomaterials were comprehensively analysed using complementary analytical techniques, such as powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Ultra-High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (UHR-TEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and soft X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). The conducted visible-light-driven photocatalytic water splitting tests highlights significant enhancement in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) performance for TiO2-Fh core-shell nanoheterostructure of 25.6 μmol/L of molecular oxygen after 60 min of visible light irradiation (AM1.5G), and a photocatalytic water oxidation activity rate of 341.3 μmol l-1 g-1h-1. The biocompatibility assessment of the developed core-shell structures combined with their enhanced photocatalytic water oxidation activity under visible light illumination suits them as excellent candidates for the development of sustainable environmental remediation technologies.