Synthesis of TiO₂/Gd₂O₃ and TiO₂/Gd₂O₃/Ag Nanomaterials. Application in Photocatalytic Degradation Reactions

Abstract

A technique for the template synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium(IV) oxide and its modification with nanoparticles of gadolinium(III) oxide and silver has been developed. The composition and structure of the obtained materials were characterized by X-ray phase analysis and IR spectroscopy. The specific surface area and pore size distribution were determined. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized TiO2/Gd2O3 and TiO2/Gd2O3/Ag nanomaterials were evaluated in the reaction of degradation of aqueous solutions of methyl orange upon irradiation with UV light. It was found that the introduction of gadolinium (III) oxide increases the photocatalytic activity, and the introduction of silver particles makes the photocatalyst sensitive to light with a shorter wavelength.