RAMAN STUDY OF VANADIUM-DOPED TITANIA NANOPOWDERS SYNTHESIZED BY SOL-GEL METHOD

Abstract

Pure titania ( TiO 2) nanopowders and TiO 2 doped with 10 mol % of vanadium ions ( V 3+) are synthesized by sol-gel method. The dependence of structural characteristics of nanopowders on synthesis conditions is investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Very intensive modes observed in Raman spectra of all nanopowders are assigned to anatase phase of TiO 2. Additional Raman modes of extremely low intensity which can be related to the presence of small amount of brookite amorphous phase are observed in pure TiO 2 nanopowders. In V -doped nanopowders anatase was the only TiO 2 phase detected. The variations in duration and heating rate of calcination influence slightly the Raman spectra of pure TiO 2, but have a great impact on Raman modes of anatase, as well as the additional Raman modes related to the presence of vanadium oxides in V -doped samples.