Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Applications of Metal Doped Titania Nanoparticles

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has got a lot of attention due to its high photocatalytic activity hence use for water purification. It is non-toxic and insoluble in water. In present research the pure, singly doped (Zn and Ag) and co-doped (Zn/Ag) TiO2 nanoparticles with molar concentrations 1, 3, 5 mol% have been synthesized by wel known wet chemical route, solgel. The photocatalytic activity of these nanoparticles have been scrutinized by using two commonly used textile dyes eosin y and methyl orange. XRD analysis showed pure anatase phase of TiO2. Particles have uniform spherical morphology with size up to 20nm has been achieved. By FTIR analysis reveals successful doping into host matrix single band towards lower wavenumber. The UV/Vis analysis confirms the shift in bandgap towards the higher wavelength which indicate low bandgap energy required to initiate chemical reaction. Both dyes were tested at pH ̴ 3 under UV-lamps. It was examined that 3 mol% Zn/Ag co-doped sample shows best photocatalytic activity towards both dyes as compared pure and singly doped TiO2.