Enhanced visible light activity of nano-titanium dioxide doped with multiple ions: Effect of crystal defects

Titanium dioxide photocatalysts co-doped with iron(III) and lanthanum(III) have been prepared through a modified sol–gel method. Doping with Fe3+ resulted in a relatively lower anatase to rutile phase transformation temperature, while La3+ addition reduced the crystal growth and thus retarded the phase transformation of titania nanoparticles. The presence of Fe3+ ions shifted the absorption profile of titania to the longer wavelength side of the spectrum and enhanced the visible light activity. On the other hand, La3+ addition improved the optical absorption of titania nanoparticles. Both the dopants improved the life time of excitons by proper transferring and trapping of photoexcited charges. In the present work, considerable enhancement in photocatalytic activity under visible light was achieved through synergistic effect of optimum concentrations of the two dopants and associated crystal defects.