Abstract
Photoelectron-hole separation efficiency plays an important role in the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts towards the degradation of organic molecules. In this study, $TiO_2/TiOF_2$ heterostructured composite powders with suitable band structures, which structures are able to separate photoelectron-hole pairs, have been synthesized using a simple and versatile ultrasonic spray pyrolysis process. In addition, their phase volume fractions have been controlled by varying the pyrolysis temperature from $400^{\circ}C$ to $800^{\circ}C$. The structural and optical properties of the synthesized powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The powder with a phase volume ratio close to 1, compared with single $TiOF_2$ and other composite powders with different phase volume fractions, was found to have superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B. This result shows that the $TiO_2/TiOF_2$ heterostructure promotes the separation of the photoinduced electrons and holes and that this powder can be applicable to environmental cleaning applications.