Yb 3+-doped TiO_2 composite nano-particles were prepared by the acid-catalyzed sol-gel method using Ti(OC_4H_9)_4 and Yb(NO_3)_3 as precursors. The effects of the amount of Yb 3+ doping and calcination temperature on ...Yb 3+-doped TiO_2 composite nano-particles were prepared by the acid-catalyzed sol-gel method using Ti(OC_4H_9)_4 and Yb(NO_3)_3 as precursors. The effects of the amount of Yb 3+ doping and calcination temperature on the phase transformation, crystallite size, surface texture of the nanopowders were investigated by XRD and BET specific surface area. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated using the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution as a probe reaction. At the interface, titanium ions substitute for ytterbium ions in the lattice of Yb_2O_3 to form Ti-O-Yb bonds, which cause distortion and inhibit the anatase to rutile phase transformation in TiO_2. The results indicate that Yb 3+-doping can enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO_2 nano-powders as compared with pure TiO_2. 0.125%(mass fraction) Yb 3+ doped TiO_2 nano-powders calcined at 600 ℃ for 2 h show the highest photocatalytic activity. The increase in photoactivity is due to the effects of the factors such as crystal phase, crystallite size, surface chemical property, surface density of OH groups, and surface texture properties of the TiO_2 nano-powders.展开更多
文摘Yb 3+-doped TiO_2 composite nano-particles were prepared by the acid-catalyzed sol-gel method using Ti(OC_4H_9)_4 and Yb(NO_3)_3 as precursors. The effects of the amount of Yb 3+ doping and calcination temperature on the phase transformation, crystallite size, surface texture of the nanopowders were investigated by XRD and BET specific surface area. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated using the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution as a probe reaction. At the interface, titanium ions substitute for ytterbium ions in the lattice of Yb_2O_3 to form Ti-O-Yb bonds, which cause distortion and inhibit the anatase to rutile phase transformation in TiO_2. The results indicate that Yb 3+-doping can enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO_2 nano-powders as compared with pure TiO_2. 0.125%(mass fraction) Yb 3+ doped TiO_2 nano-powders calcined at 600 ℃ for 2 h show the highest photocatalytic activity. The increase in photoactivity is due to the effects of the factors such as crystal phase, crystallite size, surface chemical property, surface density of OH groups, and surface texture properties of the TiO_2 nano-powders.