CdO-Implanted TiO2 Pebbles: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Electrical, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties

Crystalline TiO2 in nanodimensions, because of its unique optoelectronic properties, chemical and thermal stabilities and non-toxicity, finds numerous industrial and technological applications and tuning its properties, through doping or coupling with another semiconductor, provides improved results. However, doping or coupling compromises the chemical stability and non-toxicity. Implantation of a semiconductor nanocrystal in TiO2 lattice retains the chemical stability and non-toxicity. Nano CdO was prepared by precipitation and CdO-implanted TiO2 nanocomposite by hydrothermal technique. The synthesized material was characterized employing scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and selected area electron and X-ray diffractometries. While implantation of CdO in TiO2 lattice does not modify the absorption edge it suppresses the violet emission and increases the charge transfer resistance. The synthesized nanomaterial is an efficient photocatalyst.