Abstract
Hierarchically porous Ce/TiO(2)/graphitic carbon microsphere composites (xCe/TiO(2)/GCM, where x = 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 mmol·L(-1)) were prepared for the first time by using a simple colloidal crystal template and characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of CO(2) reduction by H(2)O under simulated solar irradiation was studied. The results showed that the Ce/TiO(2)/GCM composite material was characterized by large porosity, high concentration of metal compounds and graphitized carbon matrix, and the content of acetone solvent having a great impact on its form. In terms of the photocatalytic CO(2) reaction, the CH(4) and CO productions were 4.587 and 357.851 μmol·g(-1), respectively. The 2Ce/TiO(2)/GCM photocatalyst gave the highest production rate for three products. Under simulated solar irradiation, the Ce/TiO(2)/GCM has excellent photocatalytic activity in the photoreduction of CO(2) from H(2)O, which was related to the special composition and the Ce/TiO(2)/GCM structure.