EFFECTS OF Mn-DOPED COMPONENTS AND CALCINATION TEMPERATURE ON THE STRUCTURE, PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NANO Mn-TiO2 MATERIALS

Abstract

   TiO2 nanocrystalline powders with various Mn-doping levels were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical absorption property of the obtained samples were analyzed. SEM results showed that the synthesized Mn-TiO2 powders were spherical particals in nanosize. UV–Vis analyses proved the red shift of the absorption edge was achievable by increased Mn content, leading to gigantically narrowed energy gap to permit absorption well into the visible spectral region. Investigated the photocatalytic activity of products for methylene blue bleaching under solar light exposure, we found that the highest photocatalytic activity in our study were obtained for 0.2%Mn-TiO2 and calcining heat 600 oC in annealing time 1 h.Keywords: sol-gel, Mn-TiO2, nano materials, photocatalysis.