Metal doped nanosized titania used for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye under visible-light

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2013 Jul;13(7):4934-42. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2013.7587.

Abstract

Metal-doped anatase nanosized titania photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using a sol-gel process. Different amounts of the dopants (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0%) of the metals (Ag, Ni, Co and Pd) were utilized. The UV-Vis spectra (solid state diffuse reflectance spectra) of the doped nanoparticles exhibited a red shift in the absorption edge as a result of metal doping. The metal-doped nanoparticles were investigated for their photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation using Rhodamine B (Rh B) as a control pollutant. The results obtained indicate that the metal-doped titania had the highest activity at 0.4% metal loading. The kinetic models revealed that the photodegradation of Rh B followed a pseudo first order reaction. From ion chromatography (IC) analysis the degradation by-products Rhodamine B fragments were found to be acetate, chloride, nitrite, carbonate and nitrate ions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / isolation & purification
  • Fluorescent Dyes / radiation effects
  • Light
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / radiation effects
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Rhodamines / chemistry*
  • Rhodamines / isolation & purification*
  • Rhodamines / radiation effects
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Rhodamines
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium
  • rhodamine B