Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of co-doped Ag–, Mg–TiO2-P25 by photodeposition and impregnation methods

AbstractIn the present study, Ag–TiO2-P25 nanoparticle was synthesized using photodeposition technique and Mg was impregnated onto the Ag–TiO2-P25 for the preparation of co-doped nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area and porosity (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barret–Joyner–Halender), transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The BET surface area of the co-doped TiO2-P25 was larger than that of the monometallic catalysts and the XRD data showed anatase and rutile crystalline phases in catalysts, indicating that Ag and Mg co-doping did not influence the crystal patterns of TiO2-P25. Also, the DRS results indicated that the band gap of co-doped photocatalyst was smaller than that of the monometallic and undoped TiO2-P25 and there was a shift in the absorption band toward the visible...