Silver doped anatase nanocomposite: a novel photocatalyst with advanced activity under visible light for waste-water treatment

Anatase is a universal semiconductor photocatalyst; however, its wide band-gap energy limits its entire solar spectrum absorption to only 5%. Anatase could be activated in the visible region via nobel metal deposition. This study reports on the facile synthesis of colloidal mono-dispersed anatase nanoparticles of 5 nm particle size via hydrothermal synthesis. Nobel metals (Silver, Nickel) were deposited on colloidal anatase surface. The photocatalytic activities of Ag-TiO2, and Ni-TiO2 were investigated for the degradation of basic fuchsin dye. Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced adsorption activity in dark, as well as superior photocatalytic. Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced removal efficiency by 70.8% under visible irradiation to virgin anatase. Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced oxygen-lattice with low binding energy using XPS analysis. Ag-TiO2 experienced band gap energy of 2.35 eV compared with 3.2 eV for virgin anatase; this feature could secure enhanced solar absorption. Ag-TiO2 demonstrated excellent photo-degradation efficiency of 88% with 0.3% H2O2 under visible light. Deposited silver could catalyze H2O2 decomposition and could promote free radical generation; Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst for wastewater treatment applications. Facile hydrothermal synthesis of anatase-based nanocomposites.Novel chemisorption and photocatalysis properties of anatase-based nanocomposites.Synergism between silver dopant TiO2 and hydrogen peroxide.