Nano-sized TiO2 photocatalytic water-splitting technology has great potential for low-cost, environmental friendly solarhydrogen production to support the future hydrogen economy. One of the main drawbacks of using TiO2 as a photocatalyst is its band gap of around 3.2 eV for the anatase phase in the near-UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum that uses only small fraction of the solar spectrum. In this study, we have developed an eco-friendly process to synthesize copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles in greener and rapid way that decreases the band gap up to ~2.17-2.50 eV and shifts the absorption to readily available visible range of solar spectrum. Current work is devoted towards the synthesis of copper doped TiO2 nanoparticles in anatase phase in a reliable way by using fruit peel extract of Annona squamosa which is otherwise an agricultural waste by microwave assisted method as a source of energy. This method reduces time, saves chemicals and energy. Doping of copper (Cu) metal efficiently lessens the band gap of TiO2 for the photo-excitation (red shift) and simultaneously reduces the recombination rate of photo generated electron-hole pairs. Characterization studies of green synthesized Cu-doped nano-sized TiO2 particles show significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity that can be potentially applied for hydrogen production than that of pure ones. Use of plant extract and microwave method together makes the synthesis protocol reliable, green and rapid.

Graphical abstractFabrication of experimental light curing resin from green-synthesized fillers.

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