Facile synthesis of visible light responsive V2O5/N,S–TiO2 composite photocatalyst: enhanced hydrogen production and phenol degradation

A series of novel V2O5/N,S–TiO2 composite photocatalysts were fabricated by a solid state reaction route. The investigated composite materials were successfully characterised by XRD, DRUV-vis spectra, SEM, TEM, XPS, FTIR, NH3-TPD, BET-surface area and photoresponse studies. The photocatalytic applications of the composite materials were evaluated for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm) and phenol degradation under direct solar light. The V2O5 component played a key role for the visible light activity of the composite system at longer wavelengths. Among all the prepared materials, V2O5/N,S–TiO2 activated at 500 °C showed promising activity towards hydrogen production (296.6 μmol h−1) under visible light and successively degraded 88% of 100 mg L−1 phenol solution under direct solar light irradiation in just 4 h. The present investigation is of great importance in view of energy and environmental applications.