Multifunctional P and Mn co-doped titania nanoparticles as efficient visible light driven photocatalyst

Abstract

Phosphorus and manganese co-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by XRD, UV-visible DRS, XPS, SEM, TEM and BET. XRD data show the anatase phase in all the samples, while XPS analysis shows the dopant phosphorus in the P⁵⁺ state and manganese in the Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ states. The co-doped catalysts show a particle size of 7 nm, with strong absorption in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared catalysts has been tested by degradation of the azodye, acid orange 7 under artificial light as well as under direct sunlight. Photoluminiscence studies with the co-doped catalysts show enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals, the key oxidative species in photocatalytic reactions. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Escherichia coli </i>has also been investigated<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">. </i>The results indicate that the as co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles can be used not only as an efficient photocatalyst for potential applications in the fields of pollution abatement process but also as an excellent antibacterial agent.