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Photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanotubes doped with Ag, Au and Pt or covered by Ag, Au and Pt nanodots

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Abstract

Titania nanotube arrays have been prepared by anodic oxidation of titanium foils in an electrolyte solution containing a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, ethylene glycol, and phosphoric acid. The initially amorphous nanotubes were found to crystalize in an anatase phase upon thermal treatment at 500°C. Anatase crystalline phase showed a significant improvement in the photocatalytic properties of the prepared samples, which was evaluated by studying their efficiency towards Rhodamine B dye degradation. Additionally, the effect of doping titania nanotubes with noble metals (e.g. Ag, Pt, and Au), or covering their surface with noble metal nanoparticles, was studied regarding their capabilities towards the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye. A positive effect when samples were doped with Ag was revealed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Material Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, Stefan cel Mare, av. 168, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

    Mihail Enachi, Tudor Braniste, Vitalie Postolache, Vladimir Ciobanu & Ion Tiginyanu

  2. Institute for Integrative Nanoscience, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), D-01171, Dresden, Germany

    Maria Guix & Oliver G. Schmidt

  3. Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies, Academy of Science of Moldova, Academiei, str., 3/3, MD-2028, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

    Veaceslav Ursaki & Ion Tiginyanu

Authors
  1. Mihail Enachi
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  2. Maria Guix
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  3. Tudor Braniste
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  4. Vitalie Postolache
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  5. Vladimir Ciobanu
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  6. Veaceslav Ursaki
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  7. Oliver G. Schmidt
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  8. Ion Tiginyanu
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Correspondence to Mihail Enachi.

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Enachi, M., Guix, M., Braniste, T. et al. Photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanotubes doped with Ag, Au and Pt or covered by Ag, Au and Pt nanodots. Surf. Engin. Appl.Electrochem. 51, 3–8 (2015). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068375515010044

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068375515010044

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