Characterization and photocatalytic activity of Ag-Cu/TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method.

In this study, monometallic and bimetallic silver and copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel method. Structural and morphological characterizations of prepared nanoparticles were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and N2 physisorption techniques. Co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles displayed pure anatase phase with 20-30 nm particle size and a humdrum distribution. The stability of anatase phase was increased with co-doping of silver and copper to TiO2 lattice. In addition, the co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles had a mesoporous structure with slit-shaped pores. The photocatalytic activity of all samples was evaluated in the photocatalytic removal of C.I. Acid Orange 7. Co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles by Ag and Cu were shown to have highest activity as compared with the Ag/TiO2, Cu/TiO2 and pure TiO2 nanoparticles. The best performance of co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles was observed for a sample calcined under 550 degrees C, containing optimum molar contents of silver (0.08 mol%) and copper (0.01 mol%) dopant ions.