Silver functionalized titania-silica xerogels: Preparation, morpho-structural and photocatalytic properties, kinetic modeling

Abstract

Preparation, morpho-structural and photo-characterization of Ag/TiO2–SiO2 (0.5–1wt%) composites were reported. The silver ions were reduced on the titania–silica surface in two different routes. The best Ag/TiO2–SiO2 photocatalysts must have high specific surface area and low Ag content, when the Ag nanoparticles homogeneous dispersed onto the mixed oxide surface generates an oxidation state of titanium (TiAg4+), that improves the charge carriers transfer, thus increasing their photoactivity. A negative value of the activation energy suggested that the temperature does not influence the photoactivity of the composites.