Green and Rapid Synthesis of Copper-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles with Increased Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Nano-sized TiO2 photocatalytic water-splitting technology has great potential for low-cost, environmental friendly solarhydrogen production to support the future hydrogen economy. One of the main drawbacks of using TiO2 as a photocatalyst is its band gap of around 3.2 eV for the anatase phase in the near-UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum that uses only small fraction of the solar spectrum. In this study, we have developed an eco-friendly process to synthesize copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles in greener and rapid way that decreases the band gap up to ~2.17-2.50 eV and shifts the absorption to readily available visible range of solar spectrum. Current work is devoted towards the synthesis of copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles in anatase phase in a reliable way by using fruit peel extract of Annona squamosa which is otherwise an agricultural waste by microwave assisted method as a source of energy. This method reduces time, saves chemicals and energy. Doping of copper (Cu) metal efficiently lessens the band gap of TiO2 for the photo-excitation (red shift) and simultaneously reduces the recombination rate of photo generated electron-hole pairs. Characterization studies of green synthesized Cu-doped nano-sized TiO2 particles show significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity that can be potentially applied for hydrogen production than that of pure ones. Use of plant extract and microwave method together makes the synthesis protocol reliable, green and rapid.

Degradation of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Synthetic Wastewater by Solar Photocatalysis

“…The Cu-coated TiO 2 nanoparticle was synthesized following the procedure of [9]. One M CuSO 4 was prepared by dissolving CuSO 4 •5H2O in NH 4 OH (25 wt%).…”

“…For 1 h at 110 • C, the sediment was dried. The calcination of the as-synthesized Cu-doped TiO 2 was done for 60 min at 500 ± 2 • C [9]. Cu-free TiO 2 was synthesized following the same steps but without using CuSO 4 .…”

“…Copper oxides in conjunction with TiO2 were stated to give greater stability and greater efficacy photocatalytic. [9] Many investigations investigated the deterioration of toxic material produced from industrial activities (i.e., xylene, antibiotics, phenol, and pesticides) through the use of homogenous photocatalytic processes using a constant UV or variable solar radiating reactor with a variety of operational parameters: the pH of the solution, the catalyst concentration, loading of a homogeneous catalyst, H2O2 loading, and liquid flow rate [10][11][12][13][14]. In recent studies, Khan et al [15] investigated the The advanced oxidation process (e.g., heterogeneous photocatalysis) encompasses the use of a solid semiconductor such as ZnO and TiO2 to form an irradiation-effect stable suspension, to enhance the chemical reaction into the operating system.…”

Phytosynthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using King of Bitter Andrographis paniculata and Its Embryonic Toxicology Evaluation and Biomedical Potential

“…Miller et al [ 18 ] reported that the TiO 2 generates reactive oxygen species when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, nanoparticulate TiO 2 used in antibacterial coatings. Other doped metal and metal oxide particles TiO 2 as silver, gold, copper [ 19 ], ferrous, zinc, cerium, Li/ZnO [ 20 ], MgO/La 2 O 3 , and Mg/Zr/Sr mixed oxide are used for chemical and physical syntheses. Unfortunately, most metal and metal oxides show several drawbacks like the time taking process, uncontrolled temperature, and poor reusability [ 21 ].…”

Preparation and Photocatalytic Effect of Cu2+-Doped TiO2 Nanoclusters

“…TiO2 is a well-known photocatalyst for removing effluents from wastewater [3][4][5]. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2 nanoparticles is improved by doping Cu 2+ metal ions with TiO2 [6]. In this article, we present a simple method to synthesize Cu 2+ -doped TiO2 nanoparticles and investigate the decolourizing effect on degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye under UV light irradiation.…”