Visible Light Photocatalytic Properties of Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles via Aluminium Treatment

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has gained much attentions for the last few decades due to its remarkable performance in photocatalysis and some other related properties. However, its wide bandgap (~3.2 eV) can only absorb UV energy which is only ~5% of solar light spectrum. The objective of this research was to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 by improving the optical absorption to the visible light range. Here, colored TiO2 nanoparticles range from light to dark grey were prepared via aluminium treatment at the temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 oC. The modified TiO2 is able to absorb up to 50% of visible light (400-700 nm) and shows a relatively good photocatalytic activity in organic dye (Rhodamine B) degradation under visible light irradiation compared with the commercial TiO2. Copyright © 2016 BCREC GROUP. All rights reserved Received: 10th November 2015; Revised: 7th January 2016; Accepted: 7th January 20 How to Cite: Ariyanti, D., Dong, J.Z., Dong, J.Y., Gao, W. (2016). Visible Light Photocatalytic Properties of Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles via Aluminium Treatment. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 11 (1): 40-47. (doi:10.9767/bcrec.11.1.414.40-47) Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.11.1.414.40-47