Synthesis of oxygen deficient tio2 for improved photocatalytic efficiency in solar radiation
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 have been limited mainly to absorbing in the ultraviolet
spectrum which accounts for only 5% of solar radiation. High energy band gap and electron
recombination in TiO2 nanoparticles are responsible for its limitations as a photocatalyst. An oxygen
deficient surface can be artificially created on the titanium oxide by zero valent nano iron through
the donation of its excess electrons. A visible light active TiO2 nanoparticle was synthesized in the
current investigation through simple chemical reduction using sodium boro-hydride. The physical
and textural properties of the synthesized oxygen deficient TiO2 photocatalyst was measured using
scanning/ transmission electron microscopy while FTIR, XRD and nitrogen sorption methods (BET)
were employed for its further characterizations. Photochemical decoloration of orange II sodium
dye solution in the presence of the synthesized TiO2 was measured using an UV spectrophotometer.
The resulting oxygen deficient TiO2 has a lower energy band-gap, smaller pore sizes, and enhanced
photo-catalytic properties.
Description
Keywords
Nanoparticles, Energy, Solar light, Solar radiation, Photocatalysis
Citation
Badmus, K. O. et al. (2021). Synthesis of oxygen deficient tio2 for improved photocatalytic efficiency in solar radiation. Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 904. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080904