Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized in presence of ammonium hexafluorosilicate

• (NH4)2SiF6 is a proper compound for improving TiO2 photocatalytic activity.
• Silicon spices resulted from (NH4)2SiF6 incorporate into TiO2 structure.
• Degradation of congo red is very fast in presence of modified TiO2 photocatalyst.

A series of silicon incorporated TiO2 with anatase crystalline phase were prepared via sol–gel using ammonium hexafluorosilicate (AHFS). The synthesized products were characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (DRS), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and BET surface area measurement. Presence of Si–O–Ti bonds is revealed based on the XPS results. The products were tested for their activity as photocatalysts for degradation of congo red as a prob molecule. The 20% AHFS incorporation displayed the highest photocatalytic activity. This adequate amount of AHFS was beneficial for transferring photogenerated electron and reducing the recombination of electron–holes.

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