Enhanced photo-catalytic activity of gold ion and gold modified

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gu, Guo-bang | Huang, Guo-feng | Li, Xin-jun | Wan, Hong-fu | Li, Fang-bai

Affiliations: College of Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology,Guangdong 510642, China | Guangdong Institute of Eco-Environment and Soil Science,Guangzhou 510650, China; E-mail: fbli@soil.gd.cn

Abstract: The gold ion modified TiO_2 was prepared by means of sol-gel whereas gold deposited TiO_2 was prepared by means of photo- reduction. The physical properties were influenced significantly by the presence of gold ion or gold. The enhanced photo-activity of gold modified TiO_2 was quantified in terms of methylene blue degradation. The presence of gold ion in TiO_2 lattices or gold on TiO_2 surface enhanced their photo-activity. The optimum molar content of gold ion doping and gold deposition all was 0.5%. The first-order rates constants of gold modified TiO_2 was more than that of pure TiO_2, and decreased by increasing the content of gold ion and gold when their contents were more than 0.5%. Gold iondoped in TiO_2 lattices was more effective to enhance the photo-activity than gold on TiO_2 surface. Moreover, the relationship between physical properties, chemical properties and photo-activity has been discussed.

Keywords: gold modification, titanium dioxide, photo-catalysis, methylene

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 201-204, 2001