Photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes using Zn-doped and undoped TiO2 nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-013-8135-z
• Publication Date: 2013-11-25T08:04:29Z
• Authors: Pooja Singla; Manoj Sharma; O. P. Pandey; K. Singh
• Keywords: Eriochrome Black T

Undoped and Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol gel method. The dopant (Zn) was taken at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mol%. The initial precursors were titanium tetraisopropoxide and zinc acetate. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles was studied by observing their role in degradation of two azo dyes, i.e., Eriochrome Black T and Methyl Red under UV–visible light. The results revealed that Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited better degradation as compared to undoped TiO2 nanoparticles. In this study, 0.7 mol% Zn-doped TiO2 showed highest photocatalytic activity. Doping of Zn allowed better separation of electron–hole pairs which results in increased oxidation and reduction reactions.