Effect of doping TiO2 with alkaline-earth metal ions on its photocatalytic activity

TiO2 photocatalysts doped with alkaline-earth metal ions were prepared by the impregnation and coprecipitation methods. The sample were characterized by XRD, XPS and IR spectroscopy. Their activities were evaluated by the photocatalytic production of hydrogen. The activities of the doped photocatalysts dopended on the size of the dopant ions and the doping method. The optimum molar contents of dopant ions Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+ were 1.25, 1.25, 2.25, 2.25 and 2.25 at. %, respectively. The optimum calcination temperature and time were 400 degrees C and 1 h.