Electrospun Mesoporous InVO4/TiO2 Nanobelts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties

In the present paper, mesoporous InVO₄/TiO₂ nanobelts with diameter about 400 nm have been synthesized by elaborately designed electrospinning process. The microstructures of InVO₄/TiO₂ nanobelts are characterized in detail, and their photoelectrocatalytic properties are comprehensively investigated by the photocatalytic degradation tests with tetracycline (TTC) and rhodamine B (RhB) waste water. Furthermore, the energy bandgap and density of states of orthorhombic InVO₄ and anatase TiO₂ are modeled and analyzed by density functional theory. Compared with single InVO₄ nanobelts and TiO₂ nanofibers, mesoporous InVO₄/TiO₂ nanobelts possess the extraordinary photocatalytic efficiencies and exceptional cycle performances, which may be ascribed to the successful construction of heterostructures between InVO₄ and TiO₂ and unique one‐dimensional belt structures.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel InVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films using the low temperature sol

The InVO₄ sol was obtained by a mild hydrothermal treatment (the precursor precipitation solution at 423 K, for 4 h). Novel visible-light activated photocatalytic InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films were synthesized through a sol–gel dipping method from the composite sol, which was obtained by mixing the low temperature InVO₄ sol and TiO₂ sol. The photocatalytic activities of the new InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films under visible light irradiation were investigated by the photocatalytic discoloration of methyl orange aqueous solution. The thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The results revealed that the InVO₄ doped thin films enhanced the methyl orange degradation rate under visible light irradiation, 3.0 wt% InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films reaching 80.1% after irradiated for 15 h.     

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities of porous olive-shaped sulfur-doped BiVO4-supported cobalt oxides

Porous S-doped bismuth vanadate with an olive-like morphology and its supported cobalt oxide (y wt% CoO_x/BiVO_4−δS_0.08, y = 0.1, 0.8, and 1.6) photocatalysts were fabricated using the dodecylamine-assisted alcohol-hydrothermal and incipient wetness impregnation methods, respectively. It is shown that the y wt% CoO_x/BiVO_4−δS_0.08 photocatalysts were single-phase with a monoclinic scheetlite structure, a porous olive-like morphology, a surface area of 8.8–9.2 m²/g, and a bandgap energy of 2.38–2.41 eV. There was the co-presence of surface Bi⁵⁺, Bi³⁺, V⁵⁺, V³⁺, Co³⁺, and Co²⁺ species in y wt% CoO_x/BiVO_4−δS_0.08. The 0.8 wt% CoO_x/BiVO_4−δS_0.08 sample performed the best for methylene blue degradation under visible-light illumination. The photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed. We believe that the sulfur and CoO_x co-doping, higher oxygen adspecies concentration, and lower bandgap energy were responsible for the excellent visible-light-driven catalytic activity of 0.8 wt% CoO_x/BiVO_4−δS_0.08.     

Precise regulation of Ultra-thin platinum decorated Gold/Graphite carbon nitride photocatalysts by atomic layer deposition for efficient degradation of Rhodamine B under simulated sunlight

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) precise controlling ultra-thin platinum (Pt) modified Graphite carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) photocatalysts, which had been doped with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) by photodeposition, were successfully synthesized. The experimental results showed that precise regulation of platinum decorated C₃N₄-Au(C₃N₄-Au/nPt (n is the number of Pt ALD cycles, 1 Å per cycle)) exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation ability for Rhodamine B (RhB). Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the degradation rate of 10 mg/L RhB(100 mL) by 1.5 mg C₃N₄-Au/10Pt catalysts was 95.8% within 60 min that is much better than other photocatalysts for the degradation of RhB. The efficient degradation mechanism of RhB by C₃N₄-Au/10Pt photocatalysts was studied and the experiments demonstrated the ·O₂^– as main active species played an important role in the photocatalytic process. Local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au NPs and Schottky barrier between Pt clusters and g-C₃N₄ may be the reasons for enhanced C₃N₄-Au/10Pt photocatalytic performances. Furthermore, the successive catalytic cycles revealed the excellent stability of C₃N₄-Au/10Pt photocatalyst.     

Synthèse et propriétés magnétiques de solutions solides entre l'oxyde de chrome CrO2 et l'oxyhydroxyde de cobalt CoOOH

Solid solutions of general formula (1 ? x)CrO₂, xCoOOH have been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under very high pressure conditions (80 kb). Cr⁶⁺O₃ and CoCr⁶⁺O₄ were used as starting materials. Homogeneous ferromagnetic phases were obtained when 0 ? x ? 0.5. X ray powder patterns clearly demonstrate the isotype with InOOH, an orthorhombic distorted rutile type structure. The results of the magnetic measures performed on samples with different compositions indicate that part of the Cr⁴⁺ cation have been reduced to Cr³⁺ and that the general formula of the solid solutions should be written Cr⁴⁺_1?(x+y)Cr³⁺_yCo²⁺_xO₂H_x+y.     

A new paratungstate-A-based organic–inorganic hybrid compound: Synthesis,structure and photocatalytic property of [Co(en)3]2[H2W7O24]·8H2O

A new paratungstate-A-based organic–inorganic hybrid compound with the chemical formula of [Co(en)₃]₂[H₂W₇O₂₄]·8H₂O (en = ethylenediamine) (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by the elemental analysis, IR, TG, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 17.216(3) Å, b = 14.986(3) Å, c = 23.088(8) Å, β = 128.151(2)°, V = 4684.2 Å³, Z = 1, R₁ = 0.0484, and wR₂ = 0.1087. The structure of 1 consists of the [H₂W₇O₂₄]⁴⁻ building blocks and [Co(en)₃]²⁺ metal-organic cationic moieties, which are packed together via the electrostatic forces and extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. Interestingly, compound 1 represents the first structurally-defined hybrid compound based on the metastable paratungstate-A polyoxoanions and metal–organic units. The degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UV irradiation with 1 as the heterogeneous photocatalyst has been investigated, showing a good photocatalytic property of 1 for RhB degradation.     

Crystal structure and electrical conductivity of lanthanum-calcium chromites-titanates La1−xCaxCr1−yTiyO3−δ (x=0-1, y=0-1)

Five series of perovskite-type compounds in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ with the nominal compositions y=0, x=0-0.5; y=0.2, x=0.2-0.8; y=0.5, x=0.5-1.0; y=0.8, x=0.6-1.0 and y=1, x=0.8-1 were synthesized by a ceramic technique in air (final heating 1350 °C). On the basis of the X-ray analysis of the samples with (Ca/Ti)?1, the phase diagram of the CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃-CaCr^IVO₃ quasi-ternary system was constructed. Extended solid solution with a wide homogeneity range is formed in the quasi-ternary system CaCr^IVO₃-CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃. The solid solution La_{(1−x′−y)}Ca_(x′+y)Cr^IV_x′Cr^III_{(1−x′−y)}Ti_yO₃ exists by up to 0.6-0.7 mol fractions of CaCr^IVO₃ (x^′<0.6-0.7) at the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds is orthorhombic in the space group Pbnm at room temperature. The lattice parameters and the average interatomic distances of the samples within the solid solution ranges decrease uniformly with increasing Ca content. Outside the quasi-ternary system, the nominal compositions La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃, La_0.2Ca_0.8TiO₃, La_0.4Ca_0.6Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ and La_0.3Ca_0.7Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ were found as single phases with an orthorhombic structure. In the temperature range between 850 and 1000 °C, the synthesized single-phase compositions are stable at pO₂=6×10⁻¹⁶-0.21×10⁵ Pa. Oxygen stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the separate compounds were investigated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The chemical stability of these oxides with respect to oxygen release during thermal dissociation decreases with increasing Ca-content. At 900 °C and oxygen partial pressure 1×10⁻¹⁵-0.21×10⁵ Pa, the compounds with x>y (acceptor doped) are p-type semiconductors and those with x<y (donor doped) and x=y are n-type semiconductors. The type and level of electrical conductivity are functions of the concentration ratios of cations occupying the B-sites of the perovskite structures: [Cr³⁺]/[Cr⁴⁺] and [Ti⁴⁺]/[Ti³⁺]. The maximum electrical conductivity at 900 °C and pO₂=10⁻¹⁵ Pa was found for the composition La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃ (near 50 S/cm) and in air at 900 °C for La_0.5Ca_0.5CrO₃ (close to 100 S/cm).     

X-Ray CrKβ emission and K absorption spectra in mixed copper chromium oxides

The Kβ emission spectra of chromium in oxidic compounds were investigated by means of the fluorescent method. The origin of the main Kβ lines is discussed using MO theory and the dependence of the energy positions on the chemical bond is reported. The compounds studied include the oxides Cr₂O₃ CrO₂ and CrO₃, and the mixed copper chromium oxides CuCrO₂, CuCr₂O₄ and CuCrO₄. High-resolution chromium K-edge absorption spectra have been recorded using the synchroton radiation available at LURE (Orsay, France). The object of this investigation is to obtain further information about the chemical state analysis of chromium in catalysts: an evaluation of the atomic Cr(VI):Cr_total ratio in Cu_xCr_yO₄ catalysts is reported.     

Novel Bi2WO6‐coupled Fe3O4 Magnetic Photocatalysts: Preparation,Characterization and Photodegradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Novel Bi₂WO₆‐coupled Fe₃O₄ magnetic photocatalysts with excellent and stable photocatalytic activity for degrading tetracycline hydrochloride and RhB were successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal route. Through the characterization of the as‐prepared magnetic photocatalysts by X‐ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, it was found that the as‐prepared magnetic photocatalysts were synthesized by the coupling of Bi₂WO₆ and Fe₃O₄, and introduction of appropriated Fe₃O₄ can improve nanospheres morphology and visible‐light response. Among them, BFe2 (0.16% Fe₃O₄) exhibited the best photocatalytic activity for degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), reaching 81.53% after 90 min. Meanwhile, the as‐prepared magnetic photocatalysts showed great separation and recycle property. Moreover, the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the well conductivity of Fe₃O₄ can promote photogenerated charge carriers transfer and inhibit recombination of electron–hole pairs, so that Bi₂WO₆/Fe₃O₄ exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity on degradation of TCH and RhB. Hence, this work provides a principle method to synthesize Bi₂WO₆/Fe₃O₄ with excellent photocatalytic performance for actual application, in addition, it showed that introduction of Fe₃O₄ not only can provide magnetism, but also can enhance photocatalytic activity of Bi₂WO₆/Fe₃O₄ magnetic photocatalysts.     

Solid-state synthesis in the system Na0.8NbyW1−yO3 with 0?y?0.4: A new phase, Na0.5NbO2.75, with perovskite-type structure

Series of compounds in the system Na_xNb_yW_1−yO₃ were prepared according to the appropriate molar ratio of Na₂WO₄, WO₃, WO₂ and Nb₂O₅ with x=0.80 and 0.0?y?0.4 at 600 °C in evacuated silica glass tubes. These compounds were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, optical microscopy, microprobe analysis, Raman and optical microspectroscopy. A y-dependent separation into three distinct coloured crystallites with cubic perovskite-type structures is observed: (i) red-orange crystallites with composition Na_xWO₃ with slightly decreasing x (i.e. 0.8-0.72) with increasing nominal y, (ii) bluish solid solution of composition Na_xNb_yW_1−yO₃ and (iii) white crystallites of a new phase having defect perovskite-type structure with composition Na_0.5NbO_2.75.     

Thermal,IR, Raman characteristics,Raman gain coefficient and bandwidths in quaternary glasses

Tellurite glasses with composition 75TeO₂–5WO₃–15Nb₂O₅–5M_xO_y in mol%, where M_xO_y = (Na₂O, Ag₂O, ZnO, MgO, CuO, NiO, TiO₂, MnO₂) have been prepared by using the conventional melt-quenching method. Thermal characteristic of prepared glasses were investigated by using DTA techniques. It was found that the glass with the composition 751TeO₂–5WO₃–15Nb₂O₅–5TiO₂ had high thermal stability (ΔT = 122 °C at heating rate 15 K/min). Raman gain coefficients and bandwidths of prepared glasses for Raman gain media were evaluated. The glass with composition 75TeO₂–5WO₃–15Nb₂O₅–5Na₂O had the maximum value of Raman gain coefficient (g = 4.43 × 10⁻¹² m/W) and it was 24 times as large as silica glass. The highest value of full width half maximum (FWHM ≈ 185 cm⁻¹) was observed in glass system 75TeO₂–5WO₃–15Nb₂O₅–5NiO. Finally, the structure of the glasses was investigated through deconvolution Raman and IR spectra.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity,mechanism and potential application of Idoped-Bi4Ti3O12 photocatalysts

In this study, we have introduced iodine into Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BTO) crystals with the aim of improving their photocatalytic activities in decomposing organic pollutants. The as-prepared I_doped-BTO photocatalysts were systematically analyzed by various techniques (e.g. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), as well as density functional theory calculation. It is confirmed that I element is successfully doped, as an I^? oxidation state, in the BTO crystals by substituting the O in the perovskite-like (Bi₂Ti₃O₁₀)^2? blocks. The photocatalytic activities between the I_x-BTO (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) samples were compared by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated-sunlight irradiation, revealing that I_0.4-BTO is the optimal photocatalyst having a photocatalytic activity about 3.0 times higher than that of parent BTO. Based on the experimental data and density functional theory calculation, the enhanced photocatalytic mechanism for the I_doped-BTO photocatalysts was proposed and discussed. To promote the potential application of the optimal I_0.4-BTO photocatalyst, its photocatalytic performances were further investigated by the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin, tetrabromobisphenol A, tetracycline hydrochloride and methyl orange/rhodamine B (RhB)/MB mixture dyes; moreover, the effect of inorganic anions and pH values on the MB photodegradation was also investigated.     

Control of Co content and SOFC cathode performance in Y1−ySr2+yCu3−xCoxO7+δ

The electrochemical performance of the layered perovskite YSr₂Cu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ, a potential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode, is improved by increasing the Co content from x = 1.00 to a maximum of x = 1.30. Single phase samples with x > 1.00 are obtained by tuning the Y/Sr ratio, yielding the composition Y_1−ySr_2+yCu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ (where y ≤ 0.05). The high temperature structure of Y_0.95Sr_2.05Cu_1.7Co_1.3O_7+δ at 740 °C is characterised by powder neutron diffraction and the potential of this Co-enriched material as a SOFC cathode is investigated by combining AC impedance spectroscopy, four-probe DC conductivity and powder XRD measurements to determine its electrochemical properties along with its thermal stability and compatibility with a range of commercially available electrolytes. The material is shown to be compatible with doped ceria electrolytes at 900 °C.     

Fabrication,adsorption and photocatalytic properties of ZnTi0.6Fe1.4O4/Carbon nanotubes composites

ZnTi_xFe_(2–x)O_4 and ZnTi_(0.6)Fe_(1.4)O_4/Carbon nanotubes(ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs) composites were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The composition, microstructure, magnetic property, adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples were characterized by means of modern analytical techniques. The results indicated that ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs composites not only held the original special structure and excellent adsorption properties of CNTs, but also had suitable magnetic property and excellent photocatalytic activity. The removal rate of the samples on Rhodamine B(RhB) depended on the adsorption of CNTs and the photocatalytic degradation of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) in the composites. The maximum adsorption amount(q_m) of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4)/CNTs with the mass ratios of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) to CNTs(mZ/C)=1 was up to 17.153 mg g~(–1) for RhB, its adsorption behavior was in accord with Langmuir model, and its photocatalytic degradation activity on RhB had a positive correlation with the content of ZT_(0.6)F_(1.4) in the sample. The experimental results indicate that the total removal rate of composite with mZ/C=1 on RhB was more than 95% and the composite had good decontamination capability on industrial dye wastewater. In addition, the samples can be recovered conveniently, activated easily and had good performance for recycling.     

Combination of Ag2CrO4 and AgI semiconductors with g-C3N4: Novel nanocomposites with substantially improved photocatalytic performance under visible light

Novel g-C₃N₄/Ag₂CrO₄/AgI nanocomposites with improved photocatalytic performance under visible light were synthesized by consecutive deposition of Ag₂CrO₄ and AgI semiconductors over g-C₃N₄ sheets by refluxing method. The synthesized g-C₃N₄/Ag₂CrO₄/AgI photocatalysts were fully characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, UV–vis DRS, TGA, FT-IR, and PL instruments. Photocatalytic performance of g-C₃N₄/Ag₂CrO₄/AgI (30%) nanocomposite for degradation of RhB was 27.9, 4.0, and 3.1 folds greater than those of the g-C₃N₄, g-C₃N₄/Ag₂CrO₄ (20%), and g-C₃N₄/AgI (30%) photocatalysts, respectively. The substantially increased photocatalytic performance was related to efficient retardation of the charge carriers from recombination and more absorbing of visible light, due to the synergistic effects of Ag₂CrO₄ and AgI on g-C₃N₄. The photocatalytic performance of the ternary nanocomposite did not considerably change after several cycles, indicating that the ternary nanocomposite is stable and it could be reused in successive runs.     

Phase stability of La1−xCaxCrO3−δ in oxidizing atmosphere

The chemical stability of perovskite-type La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) in high oxygen partial pressure, P_O2, was investigated with three methods: thermogravimetry, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic calculation. The second phase, CaCrO₄ was observed by XRD analysis on the powder equilibrated in high P_O2. Thermogravimetry under fixed temperatures sensitively detected the segregation of the second phase in the form of oxygen incorporation, because oxidation of chromium ion accompanies the segregation. The second phase tended to appear in high P_O2 and at low temperature. The single-phase regions of La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ obtained from the two experimental methods well agreed with each other. The results of thermodynamic calculation on the assumption of ideality of the solid solution also agreed with the experimental results. These results suggested the sufficient chemical stability of La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ in high P_O2 concerning the application to an interconnector of high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells; for example, La_0.7Ca_0.3CrO_3−δ is stable at 1273 K in air.     

Magnetically separable and recyclable photocatalyst MoS2-SrFe12O19 with p-n heterojunction: Fabrication,characterization, and photocatalytic mechanism

A novel magnetic photocatalyst MoS₂-SrFe₁₂O₁₉ was successfully synthesized via a facile and reliable hydrothermal method. Flower-shaped nanospheres MoS₂ was compactly decorated with hexagon nanoplate SrFe₁₂O₁₉, which formed a new p-n heterojunction. The superiority of this heterojunction structure has validated by characterizations and spectroscopic technique. Importantly, the MoS₂-SrFe₁₂O₁₉ composite presents remarkable photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic dyes (RhB and MB), far exceeding those for the pure MoS₂ and SrFe₁₂O₁₉. In particular, the degradation rate of RhB reached to 96.5% after only 120 min photocatalytic reaction for the composite MoS₂-SrFe₁₂O₁₉ (10 wt%). Based on the experiments and mechanism research, this magnetic photocatalyst can facilitate the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, inhibit the recombination and prolong lifespan of charge. It is attributed to its unique composite structure and intimate interfacial contact, which can obtain a higher light utilization and electron transit path. In addition, MoS₂-SrFe₁₂O₁₉ can be rapidly separated (5–10 seconds) and recycled under an external magnetic field, which verifies the satisfactory magnetism and reusability of the composite (Ms = 10.1 emu g^–1, Mr = 3.5 emu g^–1, Hci = 1407.7 Oe). Overall, this work provides a new insight for the recyclable photocatalytic systems with multi-functionalities.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

The role of Cs dopants for improved activation of molecular oxygen and degradation of tetracycline over carbon nitride

Molecular oxygen (O₂) is activated to reactive oxygen species (ROS) by transferring energy and carriers in the photocatalytic process, which plays an important role in environmental remediation. Herein, Cs-doped carbon nitride (CN-xCs, x = 0.2, 0.8, 1) was prepared by CsCl directly inducing the structural reconstruction of carbon nitride (CN), which had obvious molecular oxygen activation ability to promote tetracycline (TC) degradation. Besides, we explored the influence of Cs doping concentration. As a consequence, the doping concentration of Cs was an important factor affecting the activation of O₂, which could cause changes in the physical and chemical structure of CN, make O enter the CN structure, form N vacancy defects and cyano groups. In addition, a proper amount of Cs doping could reduce the band gap value, increase the light absorption range, have better charge separation and transfer performance, which could remarkably promote the activation of O₂. Benefiting from these advantages, CN-0.8Cs could generate a higher concentration of superoxide radicals (^?O₂^?, 179.30 µmol/L), which was much higher than CN (6.22 µmol/L). Therefore, it exhibited excellent TC degradation photocatalytic performance, and the rate constant k of TC degradation was 0.020 min^?1, which was 6.7 times the degradation rate of CN (k = 0.0030 min^?1). Furthermore, the possible degradation pathways of TC were proposed based on the results of HPLC-MS.     

Persistent photocatalysis of continuously flowing gas-phase nitric oxide using CaAl2O4:(Eu,Nd)/rutile phase TiO2−x N y composites

CaAl₂O₄:(Eu,Nd)/rutile phase TiO_2?x N _y composites were synthesized via a two-step method, i.e. a solvothermal reaction followed by a mechanochemical treatment. The photocatalytic deNO _x activity of the composites was evaluated under UV light (λ > 290 nm) irradiation and after turning off the UV light. It was confirmed that rutile phase TiO_2?x N _y nanoparticles could be uniformly dispersed on the surface of CaAl₂O₄:(Eu,Nd) after planetary ball milling treatment. The composites prepared by this two-step method had high photocatalytic activity and good prolonged catalysis time even after turning off the light.