Photocatalytic enhancement of TiO2 through silver, gold, and platinum doping

Abstract

Energy and environmental problems have generated considerable attention due to the increased economic development and rapid population growth. Photo-catalysis (green energy) plays a significant role in energy conversion because of its potential to resolve environmental and energy problems. Due to its promising photo-catalytic, self-cleaning, antifungal, antimicrobial, and electronic properties, the semiconductor transition metal Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), after its discovery in 1972, has garnered significant attention in materials science. The first real-world application of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen in the photo-electrochemical cell triggered the development of semiconductor photo-catalysis devices. Although its overall solar activity is minimal, it possesses the anticipated performance under UV light because of its extensive energy bandgap (3.0∼3.20) eV. TiO₂-based photocatalytic materials outperform others in terms of stability and photo-generation because they are inexpensive and non-toxic materials. In this review, we explore the influence of various dopants on the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ –based nanomaterials. Particular emphasis is placed on incorporating metal and non-metal elements into the TiO₂ lattice through diverse synthesis techniques aimed at enhancing photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation. Despite the promising outcomes, several challenges persist during the synthesis process, including structural inconsistencies and phase transformation. Through comprehensive characterization techniques, we investigate the enhanced functional performance of doped TiO₂ in environmental remediation, water purification, antibacterial applications, and energy conservation. The exceptional crystallinity and tunable properties of TiO₂-based nanocomposites make them promising candidates for next-generation photocatalytic applications. This review consolidates recent advancements and offers insights into innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂-based systems.