Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of tungsten-doped hydrothermal TiO₂

Crystalline anatase phase TiO₂ with photocatalytic properties was obtained through a sol-gel low-temperature hydrothermal process. TiO ₂ samples doped with tungsten oxide were also obtained by using this synthetic approach. The photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue in water was monitored to study the influence of the tungsten doping degree on the photocatalytic degradation performance of TiO₂. The degradation rate constant was further increased by adjusting the tungsten doping degree of hydrothermal TiO₂. Also, a much faster photodegradation of methylene blue was achieved using tungsten doped samples baked at 450°C. The results were compared with those obtained with Degussa P25 used as photocatalyst. The structure and optical properties of tungsten-doped TiO₂ were studied by SEM, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis and DRIFT spectroscopy techniques.