Sol-gel Synthesis of a Novel χSm2Ti2O7/HZSM-5 Composite Photocatalyst for the Promoted Activity on RBR X-3B Degradation

Background: Pyrochloro structured Sm2Ti2O7 has photocatalytic activity on degradation of organic substances and on hydrogen evolution from water. Powder materials usually encounter the obstacle of separating from treated water. HZSM-5 zeolite is a kind of porous structured material with large surface area. Its role as a support for Sm2Ti2O7 is interesting. Methods: The supported Sm2Ti2O7 was synthesized using sol-gel method. The composite χSm2Ti2O7/HZSM-5 was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR/FIR, UV-Vis DRS, N2 adsorption- desorption and XPS measurements. Photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B (RBR X-3B) was measured to evaluate the activity of the composite. Results: Sm2Ti2O7 is in the pyrochlore phase after loading on the surface of HZSM-5 zeolite. The crystal cell of pyrochlore Sm2Ti2O7 continuously expanses with decreasing Sm2Ti2O7 loading content in the composite. Bandgap energy of Sm2Ti2O7 is enlarged after supporting. The specific surface area of Sm2Ti2O7 was enlarged from 9.8 m2/g to 93 m2/g after loading. Both of the adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity of the χSm2Ti2O7/HZSM-5 are greater than those of pure Sm2Ti2O7. After 120 min of irradiation, 73.1% of the initial RBR X-3B molecules are decomposed on 70%Sm2Ti2O7/HZSM-5, and only 27.7% of the dye is decomposed on the bare Sm2Ti2O7. Conclusion: Sm2Ti2O7 crystal growth is constrained after loading due to dispersion of Sm2Ti2O7 on the surface of HZSM-5. The specific surface area of Sm2Ti2O7 is significantly enlarged after loading. All the supported samples have greatly enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared to the bare Sm2Ti2O7.