title: Metal doped nanosized titania used for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye under visible-light.
abstract: Metal-doped anatase nanosized titania photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using a sol-gel process. Different amounts of the dopants (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0%) of the metals (Ag, Ni, Co and Pd) were utilized. The UV-Vis spectra (solid state diffuse reflectance spectra) of the doped nanoparticles exhibited a red shift in the absorption edge as a result of metal doping. The metal-doped nanoparticles were investigated for their photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation using Rhodamine B (Rh B) as a control pollutant. The results obtained indicate that the metal-doped titania had the highest activity at 0.4% metal loading. The kinetic models revealed that the photodegradation of Rh B followed a pseudo first order reaction. From ion chromatography (IC) analysis the degradation by-products Rhodamine B fragments were found to be acetate, chloride, nitrite, carbonate and nitrate ions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mphilisi M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mahlambi
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Shivani B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Rui W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Bhekie B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Mamba
authors.forename: Ashok M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raichur
mesh_terms: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; C029773:rhodamine B