Concentration-dependent electronic structure and optical absorption properties of B-doped anatase TiO 2

Abstract

The concentration-dependent electronic structures and optical properties of B-doped anatase TiO 2 have been calculated using the density functional theory. The calculated results indicate that the electronic structures of B-doped TiO 2 have changed compared with those of pure TiO 2, which is mainly due to the new midgap states induced by B doping. As to the optical properties, we calculate the imaginary part of dielectric function ε 2( ω) and optical absorption spectra of pure and B-doped TiO 2. Two transitions E 1 and E 2 emerged after B doping. The intensity of absorption is enhanced by B doping both in the UV and visible regions. According to the results of imaginary part of dielectric function ε 2( ω) and DOS, it can be concluded that the two optical transitions correspond to the transitions from the O 2p states in the top of valence band to the midgap states and from the midgap states to the Ti 3d states in the bottom of conduction band, respectively. These results have important implications for the further development of photocatalytic materials.