Transition metal co-doped TiO 2 nanotubes decorated with Pt nanoparticles on optical fibers as an efficient photocatalyst for the decomposition of hazardous gaseous pollutants

In this study, pristine TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) and Fe-, Ni-, Co- and Pt co-doped TiO2 NTs are synthesized via the hydrothermal method and photodecomposition of a mixture of NH3, CH4, and CO2 are investigated under simulated solar light irradiation. The physiochemical analysis confirms the formation of NTs and the stable oxidation state of co-doped TiO2 NTs. The photocatalytic activity analysis of the co-doped TiO2 NTs decorated with Pt shows superior performance compared to pure and Pt-doped TiO2 NTs which could be due to light absorption from the ultraviolet to the visible region and reduction of bandgap energy from 3.08 (TiO2) to 1.69 eV. Moreover, the nanostructures of co-doped TiO2 NTs/Pt NPs are coated on optical fibers which increase the efficiency of reactions by enabling complete light absorption revealing a synergistic improvement in the decomposition efficiency of the NH3 (95%), CO2 (60%), and CH4 (60%) in a mixture of gases.

Automated summary

In this study, co-doped TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized and it was found that the Pt-decorated nanotubes exhibited superior photocatalytic activity due to their broader light absorption range and reduced bandgap energy. Furthermore, coating the co-doped nanotubes on optical fibers increased the efficiency of light absorption and improved the decomposition efficiency of the gas mixture.