Investigation of Parameters of Heat Treatment on Photocatalytic Activity of Sol-gel Synthesized Ag-TiO2 Nanocomposite under Visible Light

In this research, we have synthesized Ag-TiO2 nanocomposite with an optimized concentration of 1% by sol-gel method. Rhodamin was used for photocatalytic activity. Dilatometric thermal analysis of prepared specimen was performed at different temperatures of 266, 338, 39 , 485, 600 and 700 °C for 2 hours. Using obtained results from XRD and DTA analyses, prepared specimens in 530 °С and during 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours underwent heat treatment. The optimized specimen from decomposition point of view was that of 530 °С and 1 hour heat treatment. Additionally the specimen was operating even more efficient than Degussa P25 nanopowder. Ag2Ti4O9 phase was synthesized at room temperature and with regard to decomposition test results, it seems that the specimen has more efficiency than anatase phase. Characterizations of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles were done by DTA, XRD, PL and SEM.