The Influence of Ni Dopant on the Structure and Photocatalytic Properties of Sol-Gel TiO2 Nanopowders

Abstract

In the present paper, undoped and Ni-doped TiO2 sol-gel nanopowders have been prepared in order to establish the effect of Ni dopant on both material structure and photocatalytic properties. Two dopant concentrations of the transition metal (0.5 and 2 wt%) have been tested. The influence of both Ni dopant concentration and temperature of thermal treatment on the prepared powders has been followed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. A proper program has been used in order to establish the complete XRD structural characterization (lattice parameters, crystrallite sizes, internal strains). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) coupled with surface area electron diffraction (SAED) techniques have completed the structural and morphological characterization of the prepared materials. Magnetic measurements and photocatalytic activity determinations have also been performed. The correlation between the results of the mentioned methods has been accomplished, and the detailed interpretation of the relation between structure and photocatalytic activity measurements has been done. The concentration of 0.5 wt% of Ni dopant ensures a better photocatalytic activity, compared to that of 2 wt%.