Synergetic effect of interface and surface on photocatalytic performance of TiO2@ hollow CeO2 core–shell nanostructures

The photocatalytic performance of new TiO2/CeO2 composites is reported and the mechanism for its enhancement with respect to bare TiO2 CeO2 nanoparticles revealed. With a two- step process, shells were deposited on hollow cores forming (TiO2@H-CeO2). tuning shell deposition, optical properties engineered. absorption range was extended visible light lifetime photo-induced electron-hole pairs prolonged. Photo-degradation experiments indicate that removing 10-5 M methylene blue by TiO2@H-CeO2 improved under both UV light. highest degradation rate constant K reached 0.023 min?1 showing an more than one order magnitude as compared solely or nanoparticles. High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy utilized investigate surface interface areas. It demonstrates strong interaction between after core–shell structure introduction nanometrical layer modification Ce3+ Ti3+ content near interface. present work revealed efficiency can be effectively optimizing synergistic effect through adjusting deposition process.