The photocatalytic Enhancement of TiO2 Nanotubes by Simultaneously Doping Ag Nanoparticles During Anodization Process: Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4-Dicholorophenol

Abstract

Ag-Doped TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were fabricated with facile two-step anodization process. In addition, the catalytic activity of Ag-Doped TiO2 nanotubes was examined in photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dicholorophenol. Characterizing of Ag-Doped TiO2 nanotubes were evaluated by FESEM, TEM, XRD, DRS and Spectrophotometry analyses. Results show that doping Ag nanoparticles uniformly distributed over the TNTs without any distraction in a tubular structure. Anatase crystalline phase was obtained by annealing the Ag-Doped TNTs at 550 °C. DRS results showed the addition of Ag nanoparticles had a sufficient effect of band gap which it decreased the band gap from 2.9 to 2.7. Pure TiO2 nanotubes showed 74% removal of 2,4-dicholorophenol. photocatalytic degradation study indicated that Ag-dopant has an efficient impact on photocatalytic activity of TNTs witch Ag-Doped TNTs could degrade 91% of 2,4-dicholorophenol under UV irradiation.