Abstract
In this paper we report the preparation of a series of Bi3+ -doped TiO2 nanopartides with different Bi-concentrations, i.e. 0.25-5% by a facile sol-gel process and their application as an efficient photocatalyst. The detailed characterization revealed that the Bi-doped TiO2 catalysts possess densely grown nanopartides, a high specific surface area, crystaine anatase TiO2 and good optical properties. The incorporation of Bi3+ into the TiO2 Lattice Led to the expansion of the TiO2 spectraL response into the visible Light region and the efficient separation of charge carriers. The prepared samples were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of Alizarin red S dye (ARS) under visible Light thumination. It was found that the incorporation of the Bi3+ ions in the TiO2 Lattice causes a marked improvement in the photocatakltic degradation of the ARS dye; however, the degradation efficiency depended upon the Bi+3 ion doping concentration and the dose of the prepared catalst. The detaild photocataltic experiments confirmed that the 1% Bi+3 ion doping concentration and 0.1 g L-1 dose exhibited the best photocataltic degradation efficiencies for the mod dye. Moreover, more than 80% degradation of ARS was observed by the prepared Bi-doped catalsts within 90 minutes under visibl Light. The synthesized Bi-doped TiO2 nanopartides reveald a superior photocatalic behavior towards the photocataltic degradation of ARS under similr experimental conditions, as compared to the synthesized TiO2 nanopartides and other commerciay availble derivatives (TiO2 PC-50 and TiO2 P25).