Preparation of WO3-TiO2 Photocatalyst and Evaluation of Its Photo-activity in the Visible Light Range

The most general photocatalyst, $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$, are acknowledged to be ineffective in range of visible light. Therefore, many efforts have been directed at improving their activity such as: band-gap narrowing with non-metal element doping and making composites with high specific surface area to effectively separate electrons and holes. In this paper, the method was introduced to prepare a photo-active catalyst to visible irradiation by making a mixture with $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$. In the $TiO_2-WO_3$ composite, $WO_3$ absorbs visible light creating excited electrons and holes while some of the excited electrons move to $TiO_2$ and the holes remain in $WO_3$. This charge separation reduces electron-hole recombination resulting in an enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Added Ag plays the role of electron acceptor, retarding the recombination rate of excited electrons and holes. In making a mixture of $TiO_2-WO_3$ composite, the mixing route affects the photocatalytic activity. The planetary ball-mill method is more effective than magnetic stirring route, owing to a more effective dispersion of aggregated powders. The volume ratio of $TiO_2(4)$ and $WO_3(6)$ shows the most effective photocatalytic activity in the range of visible light in the view point of effective separation of electrons and holes.

가시광 활성 WO3-TiO2 복합체 광촉매의 제조 및 이의 특성 평가