Effect of heat treating process on phase transformation and photocatalytic activity of Zn‐doped nano‐titania

Abstract

The undoped titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc-doped TiO2 gels were prepared by sol–gel method. The nano-TiO2 powders were prepared by controlling the sintering temperature. The phase compositions of the sintered samples were analysed by powder X-ray diffraction; the microstructure was analysed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope; the photocatalytic activity was analysed by photochemical reactions instrument. The combined action of Zn2+ doping and heat treatment on phase transformation and photocatalytic performance of TiO2 were analysed. The results show that, when the Zn ion doping amount is within 1–5 mol%, it promotes the conversion of anatase to rutile transition as the presence of ZnTiO3. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 sintered at 700°C is better than sintered at 400°C.