Preparation and characterization of Sn/La co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials and their phase transformation and photocatalytic activity.

The pure, tin (Sn)-doped, lanthanum (La)-doped and Sn/La co-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials were synthesized using sol-gel method followed by calcination at the temperature of 360 °C, 450 °C and 600 °C, respectively. The structures of the nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric (TG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectrum (XPS), Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum (DRS), Photoluminescence Spectrum (PL), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller Measurements (BET), respectively. The photocatalytic property of the photocatalysts under UV light was evaluated through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results show that the anatase-rutile phase transition is promoted by Sn-doping while La-doping retards the phase transition. However, La doping plays a major role in the process of phase transformation. The photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2 is affected by annealing temperature remarkably and the optimal annealing temperature is 450 °C. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is enhanced significantly by Sn and La doping at three different temperatures. Sn/La-TiO2 exhibits the highest degradation rates and the fastest reaction rates probably owing to the synergistic effect of Sn4+ and La3+ ions in inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The formation of extra surface hydroxyl groups and additional surface area are also beneficial for the photocatalytic activity.