Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of La3+ doped Bicrystalline Titania Prepared via Combustion method for the Degradation of Cationic dye Under Solar Illumination

Abstract

La3+ doped TiO2 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by combustion method in the presence of urea and were characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. Further, the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized catalysts was monitored by photocatalytic degradation of synthetic cationic dye-Methylene Blue (MB) under solar illumination. The bicrystalline phase of anatase and rutile was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, the transformation from anatase to rutile phase proceeds at a slower rate in the La3+ doped TiO2 catalysts. Effective separation of charge carriers, a synergistic effect in the bicrystalline framework of anatase and rutile, smaller crystallite size, and higher concentration of surface adsorbed hydroxyl groups helped these catalysts to show improved activity for the dye degradation. Copyright © 2018 BCREC Group. All rights reservedReceived: 28th July 2017; Revised: 19th October 2017; Accepted: 30th October 2017; Available online: 22nd January 2018; Published regularly: 2nd April 2018How to Cite: Nair, R.R., Mohan, M.K., Sunajadevi, K.R. (2018). Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of La3+ doped Bicrystalline Titania Prepared via Combustion method for the Degradation of Cationic dye Under Solar Illumination. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 13 (1): 119-126 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.13.1.1427.119-126)