Visible-light-induced V₂O₅ -TiO₂ photocatalysts with high photocatalytic ability for degradation of tetracycline

In this contribution, mesoporous V₂O₅–TiO₂ heterojunctions were constructed utilizing a soft-chemistry approach. The photocatalytic ability of the V₂O₅–TiO₂ nanocomposites was assessed for tetracycline degradation under visible exposure compared to bare TiO₂ and P-25. TEM images presented the close contact between the tetragonal TiO₂ in the anatase phase and orthorhombic V₂O₅ with particle sizes between 10 and 20 nm. The obtained V₂O₅–TiO₂ photocatalysts indicated higher photocatalytic performance compared to bare TiO₂ and P-25 in the photooxidation of tetracycline. It demonstrated that 3%V₂O₅–TiO₂ nanocomposite exhibited a superb photocatalytic ability in the destruction of tetracycline ∼100% after 120 min, owing to its promoted visible harvest ability, large surface area and enhanced separation efficiency of carriers. Meanwhile, the kinetic rate constant of 3%V₂O₅–TiO₂ nanocomposite was about 9.8 and 29.3 times larger than bare TiO₂ and P-25. The photocurrent responses and PL spectra measurements are matched well with the photocatalytic efficiency of the V₂O₅–TiO₂ nanocomposites. The reasonably designed heterojunctions V₂O₅–TiO₂ nanocomposites could enhance the photocatalytic performance by reducing the recombination rate of photoinduced carriers.