Enhanced visible light activity of nano-titanium dioxide doped with multiple ions: Effect of crystal defects

Journal Article · Sat Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2012.06.048· OSTI ID:22149970

Jaimy, Kanakkanmavudi B. ^[1]; Ghosh, Swapankumar ^[1]

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1. National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Trivandrum 695019 (India)

Titanium dioxide photocatalysts co-doped with iron(III) and lanthanum(III) have been prepared through a modified sol-gel method. Doping with Fe{sup 3+} resulted in a relatively lower anatase to rutile phase transformation temperature, while La{sup 3+} addition reduced the crystal growth and thus retarded the phase transformation of titania nanoparticles. The presence of Fe{sup 3+} ions shifted the absorption profile of titania to the longer wavelength side of the spectrum and enhanced the visible light activity. On the other hand, La{sup 3+} addition improved the optical absorption of titania nanoparticles. Both the dopants improved the life time of excitons by proper transferring and trapping of photoexcited charges. In the present work, considerable enhancement in photocatalytic activity under visible light was achieved through synergistic effect of optimum concentrations of the two dopants and associated crystal defects. - Graphical abstract: Photocatalytic activity studies indicate a synergistic effect of dopants and crystal defects leading to an enhanced photochemical activity. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An aqueous sol-gel synthesis of Fe{sup 3+} and La{sup 3+} co-doped TiO{sub 2} is being reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Optical and microstructural properties of titania were modified by co-doping. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Enhanced activity of titania by the crystal defects is being reported.

• OSTI ID: 22149970
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. 196; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
CATALYSTS
CRYSTAL DEFECTS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
DEFECTS
DOPED MATERIALS
IRON
IRON IONS
LANTHANUM
LANTHANUM IONS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOCATALYSIS
RUTILE
SOL-GEL PROCESS
TITANIUM OXIDES
VISIBLE RADIATION