Hydrothermal synthesis and photocatalytic performance of metal-ions doped TiO 2

Abstract

Metal-ions doped TiO 2 (M-TiO 2) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method with a post-annealing process, including individual Ag +, Cu 2+, Mn 2+, Ce 3+, Fe 3+ and Zr 4+ ions. Physical properties of the synthesized M-TiO 2 were characterized including XRD pattern, BET surface area, diffuse reflectance spectra and visible-light photoactivity tests. Total photocatalytic performances of M-TiO 2 were evaluated by degrading rhodamine b under whole solar-light irradiation with manganese-ions doped TiO 2 (Mn-TiO 2) showing the highest degradation efficiency. Compared to crystalline structure and visible-light photoactivity, BET surface area of M-TiO 2 particles exhibits the most significant impacts, showing a positive correlation with the total photocatalytic performance of M-TiO 2. Total photocatalytic efficiencies of Mn-TiO 2 were further optimized through synthesis with 3% of Mn doping concentration, 180 °C of hydrothermal treatment and 450 °C of post-annealing temperature. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.