In this work we have successfully fabricated nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂/perovskite-type porous nanosized LaFeO₃ (T/P-LFO) nanocomposites using a simple wet chemical method. It is clearly demonstrated by means of atmosphere-controlled steady-state surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) responses, photoluminescence spectra, and fluorescence spectra related to the formed OH- radical amount that the photogenerated charge carriers in the resultant T/P-LFO nanocomposites with a proper mole ratio percentage of TiO₂ display much higher separation in comparison to the P-LFO alone. This is highly responsible for the improved visible-light activities of T/P-LFO nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of gas-phase acetaldehyde and liquid-phase phenol. This work will provide a feasible route to synthesize visible-light responsive nano-photocatalysts for efficient solar energy utilization.
Keywords: X-ray diffraction; catalytic properties; chemical synthesis; nanostructures; semiconductors.