Photocatalytic mechanisms reactions of gallium doped TiO2 thin films synthesized by sol gel (spin coating) in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation

Thin films of pure TiO2 and Ti1-xGaxO2 were prepared by the sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activity is tested by the degradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye under solar irradiation. Different methods are used in the characterization of materials and are X-ray diffraction, UV-visible. The results obtained show that the Ti1-xGaxO2 samples exhibit an anatase phase. The grain size has decreased. The degradation of methylene blue indicates that the photocatalytic activity of Ti1-xGaxO2 was significantly higher than that of pure TiO2. The indication of photocatalytic efficiency could be effectively improved by gallium doping. The increase of oxygen vacancy amount and the realignment of the band gap resulting in the effect of Ga may be responsible for the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. It found that the optimal photodegradation rate of 94% at t = 180 min at the doping concentration is 4%.

Automated summary

Thin films of pure TiO2 and Ti1-xGaxO2 were prepared by the sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activity of Ti1-xGaxO2 was found to be significantly higher than that of pure TiO2, and the grain size decreased.