Preparation of TiO2 photocatalyst loaded with V2O5 for O2 evolution

TiO2 photocatalysts loaded with V2O5 were prepared via a modified hydrolysis process, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectra and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectra measurements. The photocatalytic activity of V2O5/TiO2 was investigated by employing splitting of water for O-2 evolution. The results indicate that V2O5 loading can pronouncedly improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 with Fe3+ as an electron acceptor under UV or visible light irradiation. The optimum mass fraction of the loaded V2O5 is 8%, and the largest speed of O-2 evolution for 8%V2O5 (mass fraction) loaded TiO2 catalyst is 118.2 A mu mol/(L center dot h) under UV irradiation, and 83.7 A mu mol/(L center dot h) under visible light irradiation.