Engineering of efficient visible light photocatalysts: Ti1–x+yCuxLayO2 (x = 0.03; y = 0, 0.005, 0.01) compositions

Abstract

In dye-photocatalysis, widening the wavelengths absorption range of catalysts as well as aborting the recombination of the photoexcited charge carriers (electrons–holes pairs) are of paramount significance. In the current study, we report the photocatalytic characteristics of four compositions composed of TiO2, Ti0.97Cu0.03O2, Ti0.965Cu0.03La0.005O2 and Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 powders for two harmful dyes (Congo red and methylene blue). The X-ray diffraction technique verified the configuration of mixed anatase and rutile phases in pure TiO2 and Ti0.97Cu0.03O2 powders while Ti0.965Cu0.03La0.005O2 and Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 powders possess anatase phase only. The changes of the band gap structure and dimensions of the unit cell volume of TiO2 confirm the substitution of Ti4+ sites by Cu2+ and La3+ ions. Remarkable widening of wavelengths absorption with formation of long absorption tails were found in TiO2 (3.13 eV) through insertion of La3+ plus Cu2+ ions. Ti0.965Cu0.03La0.005O2 and Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 samples exhibit a visible light band gap of 2.3 and 2.7 eV, respectively. Based on SEM images, incorporation of Cu2+ and La3+ ions influences the surface morphology of TiO2. The resulting Ti0.97Cu0.03O2, Ti0.965Cu0.03La0.005O2 and Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 powders present enhanced photocatalytic activity towards Congo red dye degradation compared to pure one under natural solar spectrum. The best Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 catalyst exhibits superior photocatalytic activity of 96% for 10 ppm CR dye in 20 min as well as above average photocatalytic efficiency of 63% for 30 ppm CR dye in 120 min. As well, it showed acceptable photodegradation activity of 52% for 30 ppm MB solution in 140 min of sunlight irradiation. The heightened photodegradation efficiency of Ti0.96Cu0.03La0.01O2 catalyst can be clarified in terms of higher charge carriers’ separation (Cu2+ + e– → Cu+, La3+ + e– → La2+), oxygen vacancies, full anatase phase structure as well as the wide range of visible light absorption.