Characterization and photocatalytic properties of silver and silver chloride doped TiO2 hollow nanoparticles

Using polystyrene (PSt) particles as template, PSt/TiO2 composite particles with AgCl incorporation were prepared through hydrolysis of tetrabutyl titanate in the presence of AgNO3 and NaCl. AgCl doped TiO2 hollow particles were successfully prepared with the PSt/TiO2 composite microspheres pretreated at 180 °C followed by calcination. The morphology of PSt/TiO2 particles and the crystal structures of the AgCl doped TiO2 hollow particles were characterized. The photocatalytic activity of the doped TiO2 hollow particles in degradation of Rhodamine B was tested under UV and visible lights and compared to that with Ag doped TiO2 particles. The results showed that TiO2 hollow particles, either doped with Ag or AgCl, demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity than the pure TiO2 particles. This enhancement in photocatalytic activity was more significant with AgCl doped TiO2 than that with Ag doped, and more distinct when the degradation was done under visible light than that under UV light.