Three-dimensional ordered macropore structural TiO2 modified with Ni as photocatalysts

The microstructure of catalysts and surface doped transition metals are the important factors that affect the photocatalytic performance a lot. In this study, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts with structure of three-dimensional ordered macropore (3DOM) were synthesized and modified with nickel (Ni) in order to enhance the photocatalytic performance of degradation methylene blue. The results suggested that the photodegradation rate of 3DOM structural TiO2 reached 82% when the degradation time was 60 min, which was greater than the disordered structural TiO2 of 47%, because of the special three-dimensional complex porous microstructure. The degradation rate of 3DOM structural TiO2 with modified Ni was as high as 94% when the degradation time was 30 min, which was greater than that of the disordered structural TiO2 (24%) and 3DOM structural TiO2 (56%). The effect of microstructure and Ni modification on photocatalytic performance was also discussed in this work.