Preparation of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2 composite film and influence of layer number and layer sequence on the visible-light photocatalytic activity

In this work, the Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ as up-conversion luminescence agent was mixed with TiO₂ and the corresponding Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films were prepared on the one-sided surface of treated sheet glass through sol-gel dip-coating method. The prepared Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their photocatalytic activities were examined through the degradation of some organic dyes under visible-light irradiation. The degradation process of organic dyes was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Furthermore, some main influence factors on the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film such as heat-treatment temperature and heat-treatment time were studied. The results indicate that three layer Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films with one Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film (as first layer close to sheet glass) and two pure TiO₂ film (as second and third layers) display a higher visible-light photocatalytic activity during photocatalytic degradation of Azo Fuchsine. In addition, the results showed that the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film related to the layer number and layer sequence on the sheet glass. Perhaps, the research results may offer some meaningful references for developing solar energy continuous flow wastewater treatment reactor.