Enhanced photocatalytic performance for TiO2/g-C3N4 catalysts by coupling with Gd-doped CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphor
摘要
Triply doped CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+, and Gd3+ phosphors were synthesized using a solid-state method at 1300 °C and coupled with TiO2/g-C3N4. The effects of the Gd3+ concentration as a codopant on the emission intensity and afterglow performance of the phosphors were investigated. The characterization of CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+, and Gd3+ was performed via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy was performed to evaluate the excitation, emission, and afterglow-decay properties of the synthesized phosphor. The Gd3+-co-doped CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphor exhibited enhanced luminescence properties in relation to a commercial CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphor. In addition, outstanding photocatalytic efficiencies were observed for the Gd3+-co-doped CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphor/TiO2/g-C3N4 composite in relation to those for the non-Gd3+ samples under UV-light illumination. Alternatively, Gd3+-doped and undoped CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+/TiO2/g-C3N4 exhibited similar photocatalytic efficiencies under visible-light illumination.