Synthesis, characterization of Hollandite Ag₂Mn₈O₁₆ on TiO₂ nanotubes and their photocatalytic properties for Rhodamine B degradation

Abstract

In this research Ag2Mn8O16 nanocrystals/TiO2 nanotubes, photoelectrodes were successfully prepared through anodization and annihilation steps, followed by electrodeposition of MnO2 and Ag in a three electrodes cell. The obtained photoelectrodes were dried, then annealed for crystallization, the morphology and structure of the fabricated electrodes were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The light absorption and harvesting properties were investigated through UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), photocatalytic performances were evaluated by degradation of 50 mL of Rhodamine B (5 mg L−1) under Xenon light irradiation for 2 h. Results illustrated that the fabricated photoelectrodes show remarkable photo-degradation properties of organic pollutants in aqueous mediums.