A Novel Tin-Doped Titanium Oxide Nanocomposite for Efficient Photo-Anodic Water Splitting

Abstract

Herein, we report the expedient synthesis of new nanocomposite Sn0.39Ti0.61O2·TiO2 flakes using simple sol–gel and calcination methods. In order to prepare this material, first, we generated a polymeric gel using cost-effective and easily accessible precursors such as SnCl4, titanium isopropoxide, and tetrahydrofuran (THF). A small amount of triflic acid was used to initiate THF polymerization. The calcination of the resulting gel at 500 °C produced a Sn–Ti bimetallic nanocomposite. This newly synthesized Sn0.39Ti0.61O2·TiO2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies were performed for the first time using Sn0.39Ti0.61O2·TiO2 coated over fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) under simulated 1 sun solar radiation. The chronoamperometric study of the Sn0.39Ti0.61O2·TiO2/FTO revealed the repeatable and substantially higher photocurrent for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) when compared to only TiO2. Moreover, the synthesized material exhibited high stability both in the presence and absence of light. The photocatalytic studies suggested that the sol–gel-synthesized Sn0.39Ti0.61O2·TiO2 can be efficiently used as a photoanode in the water-splitting reaction.

A Review of Synthesis Methods, Modifications, and Mechanisms of ZnO/TiO2-Based Photocatalysts for Photodegradation of Contaminants

“…Less curvature means better efficiency of the photocatalysts. 300−302 As demonstrated in Figure 8a, Sohail et al 303 reported EIS analysis of TiO 2 doped with Sn as a Sn 0.39 Ti 0.61 O 2 • TiO 2 nanocomposite. According to Figure 8b, Ge et al 304 reported an impedance plot of TiO 2 in the rutile state.…”

Facile Synthesis of Iron-Titanate Nanocomposite as a Sustainable Material for Selective Amination of Substitued Nitro-Arenes

“…In order to prepare Fe-Ti-based nanocomposites, first we mixed ferrocene and titanium isopropoxide in THF, then and initiated THF polymerization with the addition of few drops of TFC (Scheme 3 as reported recently by our research group [47,48]. In a 50-mL round bottomed flask, ferrocene (0.00537 M, 1 g) and titanium isopropoxide (0.0075 M, 2.13 g) were dissolved in 25 mL THF at room temperature.…”

“…Fe 9 TiO 15 was prepared by using 9:1 molar ratios of the precursors (0.00537 M of ferrocene and 0.000596 M of titanium isopropoxide), TiO 2 (anatase) and Fe 2 O 3 (hematite) were prepared under the similar conditions by using only titanium isopropoxide and ferrocene precursors, respectively. isopropoxide in THF, then and initiated THF polymerization with the addition of few drops of TFC (Scheme 3 as reported recently by our research group [47,48]. In a 50-mL round bottomed flask, ferrocene (0.00537 M, 1 g) and titanium isopropoxide (0.0075 M, 2.13 g) were dissolved in 25 mL THF at room temperature.…”

Growth of ZnSexO1–x Nanorods and Their Photoelectrochemical Properties

“…Especially, nanorod arrays have received greater attention in PEC water splitting due to their advantage of highly ordered geometrical structures, which increase the charge transfer efficiency and light absorption. Numerous methods are being investigated to further improve PEC presentation of metal oxides like structural engineering, use of nanocomposites, and quantum dot sensitization . Use of nanocomposites is one of the promising methods for improving the optical, electronic, and magnetic properties of the semiconductor.…”

“…Numerous methods are being investigated to further improve PEC presentation of metal oxides like structural engineering, use of nanocomposites, and quantum dot sensitization. 11 Use of nanocomposites is one of the promising methods for improving the optical, electronic, and magnetic properties of the semiconductor. In previous literature studies, zinc oxide material has been fabricated along with modification in the metal, nonmetal ion, and rare earth metals to improve its PEC activity.…”