Metal Doped Titanium Dioxide: Synthesis and Effect of Metal Ions on Physico-Chemical and Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (Titania; TiO 2 ) is one of the most widely used metal oxide semiconductor in the field of photocatalysis for removal of pollutants. It has been noted that titanium dioxide is a research friendly material as its physico-chemical and catalytic properties can be easily altered as per specific application. Since many years, researchers have tried to modify the properties of titanium dioxide by means of doping with metals and non-metals to improve its performance for photocatalytic degradation (PCD) applications. The doping of various metal ions like Ag, Ni, Co, Au, Cu, V, Ru, Fe, La, Pt, Cr, Ce, etc. in titanium dioxide have been found to be influencing the band gap, surface area, particle size, thermal property, etc. and therefore the photocatalytic activity in PCD. Moreover, photocatalytic activity of doped titanium dioxide has been observed in visible light range (i.e., at wavelength >400 nm). In this review, different synthesis route for doping of metal ions in titanium dioxide have been emphasised. The effect of metal dopant on the structural, textural and photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide has been reviewed.