Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of core/shell mesoporous silica nanospheres supporting nanocrystalline titania

摘要

The facile bulk synthesis of silica nanospheres makes them an attractive support for the transport of chemical compounds such as nanocrystalline titanium dioxide. In this contribution we present a promising route for the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanospheres (m-SiO _2) with diameter in range 200 nm, which are ideal supports for nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO _2). The detailed microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations of core/shell structure (m-SiO _2/TiO _2) were conducted. Moreover, the photocatalytic potential of the nanostructures was investigated via phenol decomposition and hydrogen generation. A clear enhancement of photoactivity in both reactions as compared to commercial TiO _2-Degussa P25 catalyst is detected