A simple method to synthesise Ag-doped TiO2 photocatalysts with different Ag0:Ag2O atomic ratios for enhancing visible-light photocatalytic activity. (1st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, C.; Lei, X. F.; Xue, M. Z.
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical research. Volume 41:Number 8(2017)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 483
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.3184/174751917X15012350965047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-5198

Abstract

Pure anatase TiO2 photocatalysts with different Ag contents were prepared via a simple sol-gel method. The as-prepared anatase Agdoped TiO2 photocatalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravity and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements (BET). Compared with pure TiO2, Ag-doped anatase TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited not only increases in light absorption in the visible region, the separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and surface area, but also inhibition of the titania phase transition from anatase to rutile. Photoreduction results showed that Ag-doped anatase TiO2 photocatalysts have greatly improved photocatalytic activity, compared with pure TiO2, and the reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation was much higher than that of pure TiO2. The optimum Ag content was 1.0 mol%, which led to the complete reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) for 4 h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the synergic effect of the pure anatase structure, and the increased light absorption in the visible region, separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and atomic ratio of Ag0:Ag2O.