Surface modified Nd doped TiO2 nanoparticles as photocatalysts in UV and solar light irradiation

Nd doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel method exhibiting photocatalytic activity in solar light together with UV light irradiation. Photoactivities of the catalysts were investigated in terms of degradation of Methyl Orange dye. 1.0% Nd doping appears to be optimum, yielding highest degree of degradation. Ag coating on 1.0% Nd doped sample is seen to further improve the performance of the catalyst. Nd doping and Ag coating could be ensured through the EDAX analysis of the sample. The morphological investigations of the samples reveal the presence of nanoparticles with average size of ∼8 nm. The improvement in the optical properties of TiO2 on Nd doping and Ag coating was confirmed by Diffuse Reflectance UV–Visible (DRUV) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The decrease in the PL intensities together with increase in visible absorption peaks in DRUV spectra of the Nd doped and Ag coated sample implies improvement in the optical properties in comparison with undoped TiO2. Doped and coated samples exhibited high surface area than the undoped sample which was ensured by the BET surface area analysis.

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► Nd doped and Ag coated TiO2 particles of size ∼8–9 nm were successfully synthesized.
► Nd doping, Ag coating have positive effect on the optical properties of TiO2.
► Doped and coated sample show higher activity than undoped TiO2 in UV and sunlight.
► Degradation yields obtained in UV light are higher than that in sunlight.