Zirconium doped TiO2 nano-powder via halide free non-aqueous solvent controlled sol-gel route

Abstract

Pure and Zr doped TiO2 nano-powder were prepared by economical, halide-free, non-aqueous solvent controlled sol-gel route. XRD, TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy results confirmed the crystalline anatase phase, Zr substitution at Ti lattice sites and reduction in crystallite size upto 10at.% nominal Zr doping. A complete amorphous phase is obtained when doping of Zr is increased to 15at.%. Optical band gap, particle size and electron-hole recombination is reduced due to Zr doping upto 10at.%. The resulting increase in UV absorption, generation of electrons and holes, and inhibition of electron-hole recombination are responsible for enhanced photocatalytic properties of Zr doped TiO2 nano-powder. Zr doping of 10at.% resulting in TiO2 nano-powder of size 11nm and energy gap of 3.33eV, yielded maximum enhancement in photocatalytic activity in TiO2. Also, Zr doped TiO2 nano-powder are found to be more efficient photo-catalyst than commercially available Degussa P25 TiO2.