Enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 by doping it with calcium ions

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) with an enhanced photocatalytic activity was developed by doping it with calcium ions through a sol–gel method. The developed photocatalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction. Their surface morphologies were studied using surface scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XPS analyses confirmed the presence of Ti, O, Ca, and C in the Ca-doped TiO2 sample. The activities of the catalysts were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye, acid red 1 (AR1), using UV light irradiation. The results of the investigations revealed that the samples calcined at 300 °C for 3.6 h in a cyclic (2 cycles) mode had the best performance. Lower percentage dopant, 0.3–1.0 wt.%, enhanced the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, with the best at 0.5 wt.% Ca–TiO2. The performance of 0.5 wt.% Ca–TiO2 in the degradation of AR1 was far superior to that of a commercial anatase TiO2 Sigma product CAS No. 1317-70-0. The effect of pH on the degradation of AR1 was studied, and the pH of the dye solution exerted a great influence on the degradation of the dye.

Graphical abstractA Ca-doped TiO2 photocatalyst that brought about a complete mineralization of acid red 1 dye by UV light irradiation was developed and characterized by XPS, FTIR, XRD, and SEM.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (79 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► A photocatalyst that brings about a complete degradation of AR1 dye was developed. ► The developed catalyst (Ca–TiO2) is more effective than a commercial TiO2. ► The XPS analysis revealed the presence of Ca, Ti, O, and adventitious C. ► Ti4+ and Ca2+ were identified without interference, and so the Ca–TiO2 catalyst is stable.