Photocatalytic performance of Fluorine-doped Anatase Titanium dioxide obtained through the Sol-Gel method

Abstract

Fluorine-doped anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles are prepared using a simple sol-gel method in an NH 4 F-H 2 O-C 2 H 5 OH mixed solution using the precursor TTIP. The prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photocatalytic properties. The anatase phase TiO 2 nanoparticles are identified by X-ray diffraction data. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that fluorine is doped effectively and most fluorine dopants might be present in the surface of TiO 2 nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity is evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation decomposition of methylene blue (MB) in atmospheric air under Visible light illumination. 84% photocatalytic efficiency observed for 5W% fluorine-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles. The higher photocatalytic activity predicted is due to the formation of photocatalytic reactive radicals.