Journal of Applied Physics,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
137(12)
Published: March 24, 2025
This
study
investigates
the
influence
of
atomic
radii
copper,
cobalt,
and
cadmium
on
photocatalytic
activity
anatase
TiO2
xerogels
synthesized
via
solgel
method.
All
samples
were
annealed
at
550
°C
for
20
min
crystallized
into
pure
phase,
as
confirmed
by
XRD
Raman
spectroscopy.
Dopant
incorporation
matrix
reduced
grain
size
(from
24.01
to
9.78
nm)
decreased
bandgap
energy
3.44
3.19
eV).
Photocatalytic
degradation
methylene
blue
(MB)
revealed
enhanced
doped
samples,
with
rates
increasing
from
71.65%
undoped
TiO
79.29%,
86.54%,
94.13%
2
at.
%
Cu-TiO2,
Co-TiO2,
Cd-doped
TiO2,
respectively.
Among
dopants,
Cd-TiO2
exhibited
highest
efficiency
fastest
rate.
Furthermore,
sample
demonstrated
excellent
stability,
retaining
more
than
90%
its
over
six
cycles
only
a
4%
loss
in
capacity.
