Effect of silver variation on Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite synthesized by sol-gel

Abstract

The simple sol-gel technique was utilized to prepare pure nanocomposite TiO2 and Ag\TiO2. The structure, surface as well as optic features of the pure nanocomposite TiO2 and Ag\TiO2 were verified by adding different concentrations of Ag to TiO2 at (0, 2, 4, and 6 mol%), respectively and annealed at temperatures of 450oC for 2h. The XRD diffraction patterns show anatase stage within pure TiO2, while in state of Ag\TiO2 nanocomposite there is a stage for Ag cubic corresponding to high concentrations of Ag content. The optical properties reveal the absorption band induced by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the visible area, which is the hallmark of Ag Nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis confirms the formation functional groups due to the interaction of TiO2 with Ag species. The surface morphology of pure TiO2 and Ag\TiO2 nanocomposite powder was distinguished through FESEM (field emitting scan electron microscopy). In state of higher Ag content, the Ag\TiO2 nanocomposite is formed with less aggregation and smaller size compared with pure TiO2.