Synthesis and Characterization of TiB2 Nanosheets, and Application as Photocatalyst

Abstract

The evolution of nanotechnology in the past few decades has provided enormous opportunities and scope to mitigate polluted water by using nanomaterials created with specific properties. Titanium diboride (TiB2), an emerging two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets possess a unique combination of chemical and physical properties. It is a low-density, ultra-high temperature refractory material that has gained importance in recent years. In this research, 2D nanosheets of TiB2 were synthesized by liquid exfoliation method, characterized by XRD, UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, and AFM techniques. Synthetic dyes are significant component of our lives as they are found in the various industrial products forming significant constituent of industrial wastewater. Dye degradation is a method in which the synthetic dye molecules are chemically broken down into smaller molecules resulting into non-toxic products. Titanium diboride has good electrical properties. Being a UV absorbing material, with a slightly larger Eg, it can reduce charge recombination rate and enhance photocatalytic activity. Another nanomaterial titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been used widely for notable applications like refinement of polluted water & air, self- cleaning glasses, tiles, and tents. Exfoliated nanosheets and TiO2 nanoparticles were used to prepare TiB2@ TiO2 nanocomposite with 0.5%, 1%, and 2% of nanosheets. The prepared composite samples were used for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye. The composite degraded more than 50 % of Rhodamine B in 90 minutes only under UV illumination.