Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B by TiO2 Pillared Illite/Smectite (Ti/(I/S)) under Visible‐Light Irradiation

Abstract Different Ti/(I/S) composites are synthesized by sol‐gel method. The microstructure, interfacial and optical properties of the obtained different Ti/(I/S) composites are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), surface area measurement (BET), and UV–vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐Vis DRS). The results show that 5‐Ti/(I/S) composite has an obvious photocatalytic activity to rhodamine B (RhB) and the degradation rate can reach 81%, · O 2 − is the key oxidative species. Moreover, 5‐Ti/(I/S) composite has good stability and repeatability.