Synthesis and characterization of anatase TiO2:Cu2+ powders prepared via a sol-gel technique

Abstract

Anatase TiO2 powders doped with different amounts of Cu2+ ions (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 4 mol%) were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method from precursors of TiCl4, (CH3COO)2Cu. Effect of Cu2+ concentrations on the structural and optical properties of TiO2 host was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The XRD analysis showed that the doped samples exhibit anatase single phase at annealing temperature 600 oC. The Cu2+ contents did not affect on the lattice of TiO2 hot, but affected on positions of these Raman modes. The band gap of the TiO2:Cu2+ was decreased with the increase of doping concentration.