The Preparation And Application Of Rare Earth Ions-Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays

In this paper, we studyed the preparation and the photocatalytic properties of TiO2nanotube arrays doped with rare earth ions, and the effects of catalytic activity on preparation conditions, calcination temperature, doping concentration, the initial concentration of methyl orange, pH and salt type. The rare earth ions-doped titanium dioxide nanotubes arrays were prepared by anodic oxidation method using La3+,Ce3+,Sm3+,Gd3+,Dy3+and Ho3+as rare earth ions.The photocatalytic properties of nanotubes arrays were researched by degrading the methyl orange solution to study photocatalytic properties under the visible light.The samples were characterized by SEM, XRD and XPS to study its structure and optical property. The obtained TiO2nanotube arrays in sizes up to80～100nm, wall thickness of10～20nm, tube length is relatively uniform0.5μm.The result indicated that the samples were crystals mixed with anatase and a few of rutile. Rare earth ions-doped has been inhibit the growth of particles of the samples,increase the ways to capture holes, thereby reduce the composite rate of electrons and holes, expand the range of wavelengths of light that can be used,improve the quantum efficiency in the photocatalytic reaction,eventually greatly improve the catalytic activity of photocatalyst.The results showed that:the catalytic activity of the catalyst under visible light irradiation is75%when the doping concentration of gadolinium nitrate is0.001mol/L, the catalytic efficiency of catalysts made under the condition are much more higher than the undoped TiO2nanotube Arrays.The results showed that a certain amount of rare earth elements in situ doping TiO2nanotube arrays can improve the simulation of sunlight in the catalytic properties.Preparation conditions have greater effect on catalytic activity.Rare earth ions doping concentration,calcination temperature and anodizing time were studied and optimized.In addition, initial concentration of the methyl orange solution,pH of the methyl orange solution and adding salts to reaction system were studied as the effects of reaction conditions on photocatalytic reaction. the catalyst was stable, with a potential industrial application.