Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of Ag metallic particles deposited carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites supported on stainless steel mesh

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials with surface modification for applications
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this present work, post deposition of metallic Ag nanoparticles on carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites supported on stainless steel mesh was achieved via a combination of sol–gel and thermal evaporation techniques. Poly acrylonitrile dissolved in dimethyl formamide and titanium tetra chloride was used as a carbon and titanium precursor, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared supported catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue as a model pollutant under ultra-violet light irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by several analytical techniques such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The XRD patterns and HRTEM micrographs confirmed the formation of a highly crystalline pure anatase TiO2 phase irrespective of the deposited metallic Ag particles. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller N2 adsorption–desorption analysis revealed that the specific surface area of supported carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites without silver was 152 and 160 m2/g for metallic Ag deposited carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy profile of the photocatalysts revealed the existence of Ti in oxidation state of +4 and metallic Ag in zero state, respectively. The results revealed that the percentage methylene blue removed was dependent on the amount of silver deposited and the catalyst surface area. The supported metallic Ag particles deposited carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites demonstrated 10.8% higher activity than the carbon-doped TiO2 nanocrystals without metallic Ag. The excellent reusability and stability of the Ag deposited carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites and high photocatalytic behavior after four consecutive applications was determined and methylene blue removal rate was maintained.

Graphical Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Barrocas B, Monteiro OC, Melo Jorge EM, Serio S (2013) Photocatalytic activity and reusability study of nanocrystalline TiO2 films prepared by sputtering technique. Appl Surf Sci 264:111–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Chowdhury IH, Ghosh S, Naskarn MK (2016a) Aqueous-based synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 nanopowders for efficient photodegradation of methylene blue. Ceram Int 42:2488–2496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chowdhury IH, Bose P, Naskar MK (2016b) A facile synthesis of mesoporous titania cubes and their photocatalytic application. J Alloy Compd 668:56–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu C, Li Y, Xu P, Li M, Zeng M (2015) Controlled synthesis of ordered mesoporous TiO2-supported on activated carbon and pore-pore synergistic photocatalytic performance. Mater Chem Phys 149-150:69–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang C, Li Y, Shid H, Huang J (2015) Preparation and characterization of natural zeolite supported nano TiO2 photocatalysts by a modified electrostatic self-assembly method. Surf Interface Anal 47:142–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Dariani RS, Esmaeili A, Mortezaali A, Dehghanpour S (2016) Photocatalytic reaction and degradation of methylene blue on TiO2 nano-sized particles. Optik 127:7143–7154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Leong KH, Monash P, Ibrahim S, Saravanan P (2014) Solar photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 nanocrystals synthesised by non-hydrolitic sol–gel method. Sol Energy 101:321–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Nainani R, Thakur P, Chaskar M (2012) Synthesis of silver doped TiO2 nanoparticles for the improved photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. J Mater Sci Eng B 2(1):52–58

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hintsho N, Petrik L, Alexander N, Salam T, Patrick N (2014) Photo-catalytic activity of titanium dioxide carbon nanotube nano-composites modified with silver and palladium nanoparticles. App Catal B 156–157:273–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Omri A, Benzina M, Bennour F (2015) Industrial application of photocatalysts prepared by hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. J Ind Eng Chem 21:356–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ba-Abbad MM, Kadhum AH, Mohamed AB, Takriff MS, Sopian K (2012) Synthesis and catalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles for photochemical oxidation of concentrated chlorophenols under direct solar radiation. Int J Electrochem Sci 7:4871–4888

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kuriechen SK, Murugesan S (2013) Carbon-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles mediated photocatalytic degradation of Azo dyes under visible light. Water Air Soil Pollut 224:1671–1675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Abou-Gamra ZM, Ahmed MA (2016) Synthesis of mesoporous TiO2–curcumin nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye. J Photochem Photobiol B 160:134–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Han C, Luque R, Dionysiou DD (2012) Facile preparation of controllable size monodisperse anatase titania nanoparticles. Chem Commun 48:1860–1862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kedziora A, Strek W, Kepinski L, Bugla-Ploskonska G, Doroszkiewicz W (2012) Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel titanium dioxide doped with silver. J Sol Gel Sci Technol 62:79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bhattacharjee A, Ahmaruzzaman M, Devi TB, Nath J (2016) Photodegradation of methyl violet 6B and methylene blue using tin-oxide nanoparticles (synthesized via a green route). J Photochem Photobiol A 325:116–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wojtoniszak M, Dolat D, Morawski A, Mijowska E (2012) Carbon-modified TiO2 for photocatalysis. Nanoscale Res Lett 7:235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Suwarnkar MB, Dhabbe RS, Kadam AN, Garadkar KM (2014) Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag doped TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by a microwave assisted method. Ceram Int 40(4):5489–5496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Salehi M, Hashemipour H, Mirzaee M (2012) Experimental study of influencing factors and kinetics in catalytic removal of methylene blue with TiO2 nanopowder. Am J Environ Eng 2(1):1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Aziz AA, Puma GL, Ibrahim S, Saravan P (2013) Preparation, characterization and solar photoactivity of titania supported strontium ferrite nanocomposite photocatalyts. J Exp Nano Sci 3:295–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Rodríguez-González V, Obregón Alfaro S, Torres-Martínez LM, Cho SH, Lee SW (2010) Silver-TiO2 nanocomposites: synthesis and harmful algae bloom UV-photoelimination. App Catal B 98:229–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Yu B, Leung KM, Guo Q, Lau WM, Yang J (2011) Synthesis of Ag-TiO2 composite nano thin film for antimicrobial application. Nanotechnology 22:115603–115612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Dhabbe RS, Kokate MR, Kadam AN, Garadkar KM, Suwarnkar MB (2014) Enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of Ag loaded N-doped TiO2 nanocomposite under sunlight. J Mater Sci 25:3179–3189

    Google Scholar 

  24. Cao Y, Tan H, Shi T, Tang T, Li J (2008) Preparation of Ag-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of acetamiprid in water. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 83:546–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Subrahmanyam A, Biju KP, Rajesh P, Jagadeesh Kumar K, Raveendra Kiran M (2012) Surface modification of sol gel TiO2 surface with sputtered metallic silver for sun light photocatalytic activity: initial studies. Sol Energy Mater Sol C 101:241–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Fenoll J, Garrido I, Hellín P, Flores P, Navarro S (2015) Photodegradation of neonicotinoid insecticides in water by semiconductor oxides. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:15055–15066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kerkez Ö, Boz İ (2013) Efficient removal of methylene blue by photocatalytic degradation with TiO2 nanorod array thin films. React Kinet Mech Catal 110:543–557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Xu J, Xiao X, Ren F, Wu W, Dai Z, Cai G, Zhang S, Zhou J, Mei F, Jiang C (2012) Enhanced photocatalysis by coupling of anatase TiO2 film to triangular Ag nanoparticle Island. Nanoscale Res Lett 7:239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Khan MM, Ansari SA, Amal MI, Lee J, Cho MH (2013) Highly visible light active Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites synthesized using an electrochemically active biofilm: a novel biogenic approach. Nanoscale 5:4427–4435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Álvarez PM, Jaramillo J, López-Piñero F, Plucinski PK (2010) Preparation and characterization of magnetic TiO2 nanoparticles and their utilization for the degradation of emerging pollutants in water. App Catal B 100:338–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Water Research Commission, South Africa (Project number WRC/2013/K5/2364) for funding the research and Environmental and Nano Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa for assistance with analysis and characterisation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Nano Sciences Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag x17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    J. O. Tijani, T. C. Totito, O. O. Fatoba, O. O. Babajide & L. F. Petrik

  2. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria

    J. O. Tijani

Authors
  1. J. O. Tijani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. C. Totito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. O. Fatoba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. O. O. Babajide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. F. Petrik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. O. Tijani.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tijani, J., Totito, T., Fatoba, O. et al. Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of Ag metallic particles deposited carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposites supported on stainless steel mesh. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 83, 207–222 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4385-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4385-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation