Improved photocatalytic activity of anatase-rutile nanocomposites induced by low-temperature sol-gel Sn-modification of TiO2

Abstract The Sn-modified TiO2 photocatalysts are prepared by low-temperature sol-gel processing based on organic titanium and tin precursors with varied Sn concentrations (from 0.1 to 20 mol.%). The role of Sn dopant as the promotor of the formation of TiO2 rutile crystalline phase is explained and the optimal Sn concentration for preparation of efficient Sn-modified titania photocatalyst is determined. Up to 40 % increase in photocatalytic activity is achieved in Sn-modified TiO2 photocatalytic thin films dried at 150 °C with low Sn concentrations in the range from 0.1 – 1 mol.%. At low Sn concentrations optimal ratio between anatase and rutile (nano)crystals is obtained, which facilitates charge separation at the TiO2 photocatalyst’s surface. When the concentration of Sn increases above 5 mol.% or when the films are calcined at 500 °C, the relative amount of rutile phase with inferior photocatalytic activity, increases and the nanocrystals of titania grow, leading to fewer active sites per unit mass and the reduction of activity in comparison to unmodified TiO2.