title: Preparation and characterization of Nano-graphite/TiO2 composite photoelectrode for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of hazardous pollutant.
abstract: Nano-graphite(Nano-G)/TiO2 composite photoelectrode was fabricated via sol-gel reaction, followed by the hot-press approach. The morphology, structure and light absorption capability of composite was characterized by various characterizations. The photoelectrochemical property and photoelectrocatalytic(PEC) activity of photoelectrode were also investigated. Results revealed that anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 10nm were dispersed uniformly on the thickness of 2-3nm Nano-G, and TiOC bond was formed. The absorption edge of Nano-G/TiO2 photoelectrode was red-shifted towards low energy region and the enhanced visible light absorption was obtained. The charge transfer resistance of Nano-G/TiO2 photoelectrode was significantly decreased after the addition of Nano-G. And its transient photoinduced current was 10.5 times the value achieved using TiO2 electrode. Nano-G/TiO2 photoelectrode displayed greatly enhanced PEC activity of 99.2% towards the degradation of phenol, which was much higher than the 29.1% and 58.3% degradation seen on TiO2 and Nano-G electrode, respectively. The highly efficient and stable PEC activity of Nano-G/TiO2 photoelectrode was attributed to the synergy effect between photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, as well as enhanced light absorption ability and higher separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. Moreover, contribution of series of reactive species to the PEC degradation of Nano-G/TiO2 photoelectrode was determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Jialin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuhang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaolei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Xuefu Road 74, Nangang District, Harbin 150080, Heilongjiang Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process & Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, Harbin, College of Heilongjiang Province, PR China. Electronic address: yuxiujuan@hlju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiujuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
keywords: Nano-graphite; Phenol; Photoelectrocatalysis; Photoelectrode; TiO(2)