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Synthesis and characterization of copper (Cu)/sulfur (S) co-doped anatase TiO2 via sol–gel method and photo degradation efficiency

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Abstract

A copper and sulfur co-doped TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized by modified sol–gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide, copper sulfate (Cu2SO4·5H2O), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) as precursors. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray micro-analysis (SEM/EDS), Fourier transform infrared analysis, UV–visible analysis (UV–Vis), Photoluminescence analysis, and atomic force microscopy. The XRD results showed undoped and Cu/S-co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles only include anatase phase. The SEM analysis revealed the do** of Cu and S nano particles are highly agglomerated like cauliflower shape. The increase of copper and sulfur do** enhanced red-shift in the UV–vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized samples was tested for degradation of Rhodamine B solutions. The results showed photocatalytic activity of the catalysts with 0.2 % Cu, 0.2 % S (1:1) on TiO2 were higher than that of other catalysts under ultraviolet irradiation. The Cu/S co-doped TiO2 catalyst has higher photocatalytic efficiency than undoped TiO2 catalyst.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

    V. Kavitha

  2. Department of Physics Wing DDE, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, 608 002, India

    P. S. Ramesh

  3. Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, 608 002, India

    D. Geetha

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Correspondence to P. S. Ramesh.

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Kavitha, V., Ramesh, P.S. & Geetha, D. Synthesis and characterization of copper (Cu)/sulfur (S) co-doped anatase TiO2 via sol–gel method and photo degradation efficiency. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 27, 8118–8125 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-016-4813-x

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