Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous Na-doped TiO2 nano-powder prepared via a solvent-controlled non-aqueous sol-gel route

Abstract

A series of mesoporous Na doped TiO2 nano-powders have been successfully prepared via a solvent-controlled non-aqueous sol-gel route. XRD, TEM and XPS results confirm the substitutional doping of Na at Ti sites and reduction in crystallite size. The increase in surface area and pore volume with Na doping is confirmed by N2 adsorption-desorption measurements. The synthesized Na doped TiO2 nano-powder revealed a superior photo-catalytic activity as compared to the synthesized TiO2 nano-powder and commercially available P25 TiO2. This could be attributed to the combined effect of reduced electron-hole recombination rate, increased surface area and enhanced crystallinity.