Electrodeposition of silver on CrTiO2 nanotubes and study of their structural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

CrTiO2 nanotubes were prepared by facile one step anodization of titanium substrate and silver nanoparticles were loaded on prepared nanotubes by electrodeposition. Ag/CrTiO2 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer methods. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the obtained samples. Results indicated that the degradation of MB was enhanced using Ag/CrTiO2 samples. Kinetic research showed that photo degradation process followed the first-order reaction; the apparent reaction rate constant of Ag/CrTiO2 sample was approximately two times higher than that on the bare CrTiO2 sample. After five successive cycles under 600 min visible light irradiation, Ag/CrTiO2 remained highly stable photocatalytic activity. The catalysts prepared in this study exhibit industrially relevant interests due to the low cost and good photocatalytic activity.