Study of nano-Ag particles doped TiO2 prepared by photocatalysis

Nano-silver (Ag) particle doped TiO2 composite photocatalyst was prepared by photocatalytic reaction of anatase TiO2 with AgNO3 solution. Microstructures of these particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Its photocatalytic behavior was examined by the degradations of two dyes, methyl orange and methylene blue. In contrast to Ag free TiO2 particles, the nano-Ag particle doped TiO2 photocatalyst exhibits much higher catalytic activity. It was also found that 1.0 wt% Ag doped to the TiO2 particles, synthesized through 10 hour ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, offer the best photocatalytic property.