Sn/Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles produced via sol-gel method: Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity

TiO2 and Sn/Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles with different Sn/Cu contents have been synthesized and characterized by different analysis methods such as XRD, TEM, and BET. Sn/Cu-TiO2 was preferential to TiO2 with 2,5-fold increase in photodegradation rate of different types of dyes such as methyl orange, methylene blue and methyl red. This activity was relevant to the influences of co-doping on the physicochemical properties and surface interfacial charge transfer mechanisms. An optimum synergetic effect was found for a mass ratio of Sn/TiO2 equal to 0.75% and Cu/TiO2 equal to 0.5%. The degradation reaction fit well to a Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model indicating the reaction rate is depended on initial adsorption step.