Optical and structural properties of TiO $$_{\mathbf{2}}$$ 2 nanocomposite doped by Si and Cu at high temperature

Abstract

The TiO\(_{2}\) nanocomposite doped by Si and Cu were prepared via sol–gel method under process control. The effects of doping and calcination temperature on the structural and photo-catalytic properties of applied nanocomposite have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, FTIR and UV–vis absorption spectroscope. XRD results suggest that adding dopants has a great effect on the crystallinity and particle size of TiO\(_{2}\). Titania rutile phase formation was inhibited by Si\(^{4+}\) and promoted by Cu\(^{2+}\) addition doping. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation kinetics of aqueous methyl orange under visible radiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of the 20 % Si doped TiO\(_{2}\) nanocomposite have a larger degradation efficiency than 5 % Cu doped TiO\(_{2}\) under visible light.