Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of silicon doped TiO2 nanotubes

Modification of TiO2 nanotubes from inexpensive available materials for enhancing photocatalytic activity is being a promising research topic. In this study, Si-doped TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated by a one-step hydrothermal method from the commercial TiO2 and SiO2 powder as starting materials. Morphology and crystal structure of the Si-doped TiO2 nanotubes were examined by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that Si atoms were inserted into the lattice of TiO2 nanotubes in all Si-doped TiO2 nanotubes samples. Si doping improved the methylene blue photocatalytic degradation activity of the TiO2 nanotubes under ultra-violet light irradiation. The highest photocatalytic activity of Si-doped TiO2 nanotubes obtained at 10% dopant and its methylene blue photocatalytic degradation efficiency tripled in comparison to the efficiency of the undoped TiO2 nanotubes under ultra-violet light condition. This study inspired that Si-doped TiO2 nanotubes is a potential material to treat wastewater in industrial field.