skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Combustion synthesized TiO{sub 2} for enhanced photocatalytic activity under the direct sunlight-optimization of titanylnitrate synthesis

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Chemistry, IIT Hyderabad, Yeddumailaram 502 205 (India)
  2. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Interdisciplinary Centre for Electron Microscopy – Surface Analysis Facility, CH-Lausanne (Switzerland)
  3. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad 500 058 (India)

Graphical abstract: Effect of oxidant on the combustion synthesis of TiO{sub 2} has been studied by preparing titanylnitrate in four different ways from Ti(IV) iso-propoxide. It is observed that oxidant preparation method has a significant effect on physico-chemical as well as photocatalytic properties of TiO{sub 2}. All the catalysts showed excellent photocatalytic activity than Degussa P-25 under direct sunlight for the degradation of a textile dye (methylene blue), without the need of external light sources, oxygen supply and reactor systems. Highlights: ► Optimized synthesis of titanylnitrate. ► Influence of titanylnitrate synthesis on the physico-chemical properties of TiO{sub 2} prepared by combustion synthesis. ► Development of highly efficient TiO{sub 2} photocatalysts those are active under the direct sunlight in open atmosphere. ► Degradation of the textile dye (methylene blue) under direct sunlight. -- Abstract: Optimized synthesis of Ti-precursor ‘titanylnitrate’ for one step combustion synthesis of N- and C-doped TiO{sub 2} catalysts were reported and characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffused reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy, N{sub 2} adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD confirmed the formation of TiO{sub 2} anatase and nano-crystallite size which was further confirmed by TEM. UV-DRS confirmed the decrease in the band gap to less than 3.0 eV, which was assigned due to the presence of C and N in the framework of TiO{sub 2} as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under the direct sunlight was carried out and typical results indicated the better performance of the synthesized catalysts than Degussa P-25.

OSTI ID:
22215734
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 47, Issue 9; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English