Photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes using Zn-doped and undoped TiO2 nanoparticles

Undoped and Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol gel method. The dopant (Zn) was taken at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mol%. The initial precursors were titanium tetraisopropoxide and zinc acetate. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles was studied by observing their role in degradation of two azo dyes, i.e., Eriochrome Black T and Methyl Red under UV-visible light. The results revealed that Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited better degradation as compared to undoped TiO2 nanoparticles. In this study, 0.7 mol% Zn-doped TiO2 showed highest photocatalytic activity. Doping of Zn allowed better separation of electron-hole pairs which results in increased oxidation and reduction reactions.