《Recent_advances_in_making_nano-sized_TiO2_visible-light_active_through_rare-earth_metal_doping》.pdf

FEATURE ARTICLE /materials | Journal of Materials Chemistry Recent advances in making nano-sized TiO2 visible-light active through rare-earth metal doping Sonny Bingham and Walid A. Daoud* Received 14th July 2010, Accepted 5th October 2010 DOI: 10.1039/c0jm02271c Doping with metals and non-metals is a popular technique that facilitates visible light activity of titanium dioxide. More recently, rare-earth metals have shown tremendous potential as dopants not only in red-shifting the absorption but also in improving the photocatalysis of TiO2. This feature article discusses recent developments in making TiO2 visible-light active through single and co-doping with rare earth metals. An emphasis is placed on wet chemical techniques and their associated effects on the phase, adsorption, surface area, and photocatalytic activity of TiO2. New techniques, such as electrospinning, magnetron sputtering, co-precipitation, and complexation, as well as the use of nanotubes and physical support are also discussed. 1. Introduction Advanced oxidation with the aid of solar-light sensitive semi- conductors may prove to be a possible solution to this problem. Pollutants from anthropogenic sources, whether water soluble or Of the common photo-sensitive semi-conductors, such as air borne, pose serious problems to both the environment and ZnO, TiO , SnO and WO ; titanium dioxide (TiO ) has proven 2 2 3 2 human health. In a world where environmental issues have 1