Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanopowders supported on a new persistent luminescence phosphor

TiO2 nanoparticles were supported on a new persistent luminescence (3ZnO:Ga2O3:2GeO(2)):Cr3+ material. The sample was characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and radioluminescence. The photoactivity was evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution especially in the darkness. A MB photodegradation occurred also in the absence of an external illumination. In fact, the persistent luminescence material stores and provides the necessary photons to the TiO2 allowing the photocatalysis process even in the darkness. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.