Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO₂-SnO₂ Composite Nanoparticles

Abstract:

Pure TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Titanium (IV)-n-butoxide as Titanium precursor and Sn doping was performed by adding Tin (II) ethylhexanate (Sn precursor) in Titanium precursor by Sol-gel method. The morphology of nanoparticles was examined by XRD and SEM analysis. The XRD analysis shows the formation of mixture phases (anatase and brookite) for pure TiO2. Addition of lower Sn precursor concentration resulted in the formation of Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles. On increasing the Sn precursor favours the growth of TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites. It is interesting to observe the fraction of brookite phase in TiO2 decreases by increasing the Sn precursor concentration. The photocatalytic activity test for pure TiO2, pure SnO2, Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites were carried out for Methylene blue (MB) solution. Both Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites show faster photocatalytic degradation than pure TiO2 nanoparticles due to suppression of brookite phase by addition of Sn precursor.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 678)
• Pages: 373-377
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.678.373
• Online since: March 2013
• Authors: Duraisamy Nithyadevi, Ramasamy Thangavelu Rajendrakumar
• Keywords: Nanocomposite Particles, Photocatalytic Properties, Sol-Gel Method, TiN Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)

References

[5] Dégradation rate = % (1) Pure TiO2 and TiO2-SnO2 nanoparticles of 0.1g were immersed in 40ml of 0.03g/L methylene blue solution and were irradiated with UV light from lamp with the intensity of 6W operating at 365nm [11]. The UV lamp was positioned 7cm above the solution surface. UV-VIS absorption spectra and degradation of MB solution with various irradiation times were measured to evaluate the photo catalytic activity of Pure TiO2 and TiO2-SnO2 nanoparticles. UV irradiation of Methylene Blue in the absence of catalyst showed absorption maximum at 656nm. When TiO2-SnO2 nanoparticles and pure TiO2 were used as catalysts, the absorption maximum (λ=658), gradually decreased upon irradiation with UV source. This result shows degradation and decolourisation of aqueous MB was strictly due to catalyst under UV irradiation. Fig. 3 shows the degradation graph of pure and nanoparticles. Fig. 3 Degradation Graph of Pure TiO2, Pure SnO2, TiO2-SnO2 (low) concentration and TiO2-SnO2 (high) concentration From the Fig. 3, As compared with previous report Pure TiO2 results in lower photocatalytic efficiency due to the presence of mixed phases (anatase and brookite) and mainly due to the presence of brookite phase. The Photocatalytic activity decreases with the increasing brookite to anatase ratio [12]. Sn doped TiO2 enhances the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2. With further increase in SnO2 concentration, TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposite improves the photocatalytic efficiency as compared with addition of Sn doped TiO2 due to decrease in the fraction of brookite phase. Conclusion Pure TiO2 , Pure SnO2, low and high concentration of TiO2-SnO2 nanoparticles have been prepared using Titanium (IV)-n-butoxide and tin(II)ethylhexanate as a precursor. The influence of butoxide results in formation of mixed phases (anatase and brookite) was analyzed by XRD spectrum. The photocatalytic tests showed that Pure TiO2 nanoparticles slower the rate of degradation due to presence of mixed anatase and brookite phases. Both Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposite improves the photocatalytic efficiency due to decrease in the fraction of brookite phase compared to pure TiO2. Refrences

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