Silver doped anatase nanocomposite: a novel photocatalyst with advanced activity under visible light for waste-water treatment

Abstract

AbstractAnatase is a universal semiconductor photocatalyst; however, its wide band-gap energy limits its entire solar spectrum absorption to only 5%. Anatase could be activated in the visible region via nobel metal deposition. This study reports on the facile synthesis of colloidal mono-dispersed anatase nanoparticles of 5 nm particle size via hydrothermal synthesis. Nobel metals (Silver, Nickel) were deposited on colloidal anatase surface. The photocatalytic activities of Ag–TiO2, and Ni–TiO2 were investigated for the degradation of basic fuchsin dye. Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced adsorption activity in dark, as well as superior photocatalytic. Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced removal efficiency by 70.8% under visible irradiation to virgin anatase. Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced oxygen-lattice with low binding energy using XPS analysis. Ag–TiO2 experienced band gap energy of 2.35 eV compared with 3.2 eV for virgin anatase; this feature could secure enhanced solar absorption. Ag–TiO2 demonstrated excellent photo-degradation efficiency of 88% with 0.3% H2O2 under visible light. Deposited silver could catalyze H2O2 decomposition and could promote free radical generation; Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst for wastewater treatment applications.