Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of W-Doped and W-La-Codoped TiO2 Nanomaterials under Simulated Sunlight

Abstract EN

W-doped TiO2 and W-La-codoped TiO2 nanomaterials were successfully synthesized via the sol-gel method.

The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The presence of W and La results in significant red shift of absorption edge for TiO2-based nanomaterials.

The weight ratios of La and W in the composites play important roles in the absorption edge for TiO2-based nanomaterials.

The photocatalytic activities of both W-doped TiO2 and W-La-codoped TiO2 photocatalysts for decolorization of methyl orange solution were evaluated under simulated sunlight irradiation.

The results showed that both W-doped and W-La-codoped can effectively improve the photocatalytic behaviors of TiO2 nanomaterials ascribed to the improved photoinduced charge carriers separation, enhanced light absorption, and large surface area.

Furthermore, W-La-codoped TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than W-doped TiO2.

Considering their high photocatalytic activity, the doped TiO2 nanomaterials could be applied in wastewater treatment and environmental purification.