Enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2/SiO2 by the influence of Cu-doping under reducing calcination atmosphere

Cu-doped titania photocatalyst supported on silica beads (Cu-TiO2/SiO2) were prepared under different Cu-ion concentration and under different calcination atmosphere. The properties and performance of Cu-TiO2/SiO2 were compared with undoped TiO2/SiO2 photocatalyst. The effect of Cu-doping and calcination atmosphere on photocatalytic degradation of phenol under both black light and visible light irradiation were investigated, where in both cases the degradation rate of phenol by Cu-doped catalyst prepared under reducing calcination atmosphere was found to be higher than the undoped catalyst or Cu-doped catalyst prepared under air atmosphere. This may be attributed to increase in visible light absorption and lengthening of photogenerated electron–hole pair recombination time. The photocatalytic beads were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and SEM/EDAX analysis.

► In this research work we have modified the titania photocatalyst immobilized on silica beads by copper doping under different reducing calcination atmosphere.
► The effect of copper doping and reducing calcination atmosphere has been studied by phenol degradation under both UV and visible light irradiation.
► A new and cheaper reducing atmosphere using graphite powder has been used which has been found to be most effective.
► Since this research work is related modification of photocatalyst we think it will be better if we can publish this on your Journal.