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Efficient photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) over porous BNNSs/TiO2 nanocomposites under visible light irradiation
journal contribution
posted on 2016-01-01, 00:00 authored by Dan LiuDan Liu, Mingwen Zhang, Wanjie Xie, Lu Sun, Ying (Ian) ChenYing (Ian) Chen, Weiwei LeiWeiwei LeiPhotocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) was successfully achieved on porous boron nitride nanosheets/TiO2 (P-BNNSs/TiO2) composites. Porous boron nitride (BN) nanosheets as a catalyst support material play an important role in extending the optical absorption spectrum of TiO2 into the visible light region. The photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) by P-BNNSs/TiO2 composites was evaluated under simulated solar light (λ > 300 nm) and visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. The P-BNNSs/TiO2 composites exhibit excellent removal efficiency of Cr(VI) (∼99%). The excellent photocatalytic activity of P-BNNSs/TiO2 composites in the visible-light region is derived from their large surface area, which induces a strong absorption of pollutants and a lower recombination rate of electron–hole pairs.