Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles having different Cu doping concentration (0, 2.5 and 5%) are synthesized using simple hydrothermal processing. Copper doping effect in TiO2 matrix is investigated through different complimentary analytical techniques. XRD and Raman confirm the anatase phase of TiO2. TEM and XRD depict that particle size is altered with doping without any change in morphology. UV–Vis study reveals decrement in the band gap of TiO2 NPs on introducing Cu content. Photoluminescence shows emission peaks that are red shifted and arise due to oxygen and titanium vacancies appearing after Cu2+ ions doping. The photo-induced catalytic behaviour of Cu-doped TiO2 NPs is estimated through decomposition of methylene blue dye solution. The results depict that Cu2+ ions incorporation in TiO2 NPs lead to higher catalytic activity. The present work established that Cu-doped TiO2 NPs are promising materials employable as photocatalysts for various environmental applications.
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•Doped semiconductor photocatalysts play vital role in environmental remediation.•Hydrothermally processed Cu-doped TiO2 NPs have stable anatase phase.•Optical band gap of Cu-doped TiO2 NPs decreased with Cu doping as confirmed by red shifting of PL peak.•Photocatalytic activity of Cu-doped TiO2 NPs under visible light was found excellent (95.8%).•Materials possessed typical dielectric and electric modulus characteristics for applications.