Influence of Ni doping on the structural, optical and textural properties of TiO sub(2) nanocrystals prepared via an ultrasound assisted sol-gel method

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2014-03, Vol.69 (3), p.571-579
• Main Authors: Robles-Aguila, MJ, Mendoza, ME, Davila-Jimenez, M M, Bentrup, U, Elizalde-Gonzalez, M P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-013-3258-4

Nanometric TiO sub(2) and nickel-doped TiO sub(2) powders were obtained by thermal decomposition of non-alkoxide precursors prepared using an ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel method. Ti super(4+) and Ni super(2+) were obtained from titanium oxide sulfate hydrate and nickel sulfate hexahydrate, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of only the anatase phase in both oxides, and no titanates were observed. The Ni-doped material was determined to be a solid solution with a stoichiometry of Ti sub(0.96)Ni sub(0.04)O sub(2-y). The incorporation of nickel lowers the band gap calculated from the UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopic data, and affects the specific surface area, density, and acid-base characteristics. Mesoporosity developed as a result of particle agglomeration and differed among samples, as determined based on the total pore volume.