Hydrothermal synthesis and photocatalytic performance of metal-ions doped TiO2

Metal-ions doped TiO2 (M-TiO2) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method with a post-annealing process, including individual Ag+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Ce3+, Fe3+ and Zr4+ ions. Physical properties of the synthesized M-TiO2 were characterized including XRD pattern, BET surface area, diffuse reflectance spectra and visible-light photoactivity tests. Total photocatalytic performances of M-TiO2 were evaluated by degrading rhodamine b under whole solar-light irradiation with manganese-ions doped TiO2 (Mn-TiO2) showing the highest degradation efficiency. Compared to crystalline structure and visible-light photoactivity, BET surface area of M-TiO2 particles exhibits the most significant impacts, showing a positive correlation with the total photocatalytic performance of M-TiO2. Total photocatalytic efficiencies of Mn-TiO2 were further optimized through synthesis with 3% of Mn doping concentration, 180 °C of hydrothermal treatment and 450 °C of post-annealing temperature.

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► We synthesized six metal-ions doped TiO2 photocatalysts by a hydrothermal method.
► Mn-TiO2 shows the best photocatalytic activity under both solar and visible light.
► Hydrothermal parameters of Mn-TiO2 are optimized.
► Particle surface area is critical to the photocatalytic property of doped TiO2.
► Crystal structure and visible-light response of doped TiO2 are secondary important.