Sonosynthesis of nanostructured TiO2 doped with transition metals having variable bandgap

Here is described a sonosynthesis method to produce nanostructured TiO2 pure and doped (Al, C, Co, Fe and Rh). The synthesized TiO2 is amorphous and is transformed to anatase, brookite or rutile by heat treatments at temperatures between 100 and 300 degrees C. Pure TiO2 can be partially transformed to brookite between 100 and 300 degrees C. The band gap in all heat treated samples from 100-600 degrees C is relatively constant, 3.2 eV, except for those doped with Fe. This effect on the band gap is the results of a bi/tri-crystal (anatase:brookite:rutile) framework. Rhodium is the most effective dopant to narrow the band gap, the opposite effect is observed with C. In single phase frameworks the bandgap can be modified ranges from 2.38 to 4.10 eV depending on the dopant. TiO2 lattices are rigid enough to promote an outwards diffusion of the dopants to the surface of the particles forming nanostructured precipitates. The precipitates develop a network of quantum-dots with sizes between 5 and 10 nm. Published by Elsevier Ltd