Study of Nd3+, Pd2+, Pt4+, and Fe3+ dopant effect on photoreactivity of TiO2 nanoparticles

The metallorganic chemical vapor deposition method was successfully used to synthesize pure TiO(2) and Nd(3+)-, Pd(2+)-, Pt(4+)-, and Fe(3+)-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles. Polycrystalline TiO(2) structure was verified with x-ray diffraction, which showed typical characteristic anatase reflections without any separate dopant-related peaks. Transmission electron microscopy observations confirmed the existence of homogeneously distributed 22 +/- 3 nm TiO(2) nanoparticles. The particle size remained the same for the doped samples. The doping level of transition metals was kept at approximately 1 atomic percent, which was determined by x-ray photoelectron spectra and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The effects of different types of dopants on the photocatalytic activity were revealed by the degradation of 2-chlorophenols with an UV light source. The photocatalytic efficiency was remarkably enhanced by the introduction of Pd(2+) and Nd(3+). Nd(3+)-doped TiO(2) showed the largest enhancement. However, Pt(4+) changed the 2-chlorophenol degradation rate only slightly, and Fe(3+) was detrimental to this process. These effects were related to the position of the dopants in the nanoparticles and the difference in their ionic radii with respect to that of Ti(4+).