A comparative path for photocatalytic action of undoped and s-doped TiO 2 for photodegradation of methylene blue: A study of possible trouble-free synthesis of sulphur doping TiO 2 nano-powder

Abstract Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes carried excessive issues with justifiable progress of environmentally safe technology in the domain of recent science. As a consequence, expansion of innovative photocatalysts with enhanced catalytic effectiveness has gained much attention to contemporary researcher. Hence, loading of TiO2 (semiconductor) with nonmetallic atoms like sulfur (S), has increased much attention because of awarding improved absorbance under UV-visible light irradiation. TiO2 was prepared from Titanium (IV) isopropoxide S-doped TiO2 photocatalyst were prepared using thiourea (CH4N2S) applying hydrothermal technique. The purity, morphology, particle size and crystallinity of the prepared dopped and undoped TiO2 nanoparticles were established with the help of XRD and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope FE-SEM analysis. The presence of sulfur in the modified TiO2 (S-doped) was detected by XRD, and EDX measurements which also lighted on the prevention of crystals aggregation by S-doping. The presence of hydroxyl (OH−) groups was sensed from FTIR spectra. The improved catalytic activity of modified catalyst made up of TiO2 with atomic Sulphur for the removing organic dyes (methylene blue, 5ppm) through degradation was explored by UV-visible spectroscopy. It was found that photoinduced superficial holes (h+) and OH∙ radicals on S-TiO2 catalysts acted a key role in the catalysis. This work holds out a simple and easy preparation of photocatalyst, S-doped TiO2 nanoparticle, avoiding the hassle of preparing structured nanocatalyst like nano-film, nano-tube etc. and advanced noteworthy enhancement (̴ 91%) of the catalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye pollutant. This study offers a method for uncomplicated synthesis of a photocatalyst with improved catalytic efficacy. The synthesized s-doped TiO2 showed significantly better catalytic properties compared to undoped TiO2. The goal of this research work is to offer a simple technique of preparation of a better-quality photocatalyst in terms of cost effectiveness, time demanding, easy application for degradation of organic pollutant without difficulty. The s-doped TiO2 has been synthesized using thiourea as Sulphur source by hydrolysis under thermal condition and characterized. The doping of TiO2 by Sulphur helps to improve catalytic activity of TiO2 forming a new energy level near conduction band and increases the generation of e− which facilitate the degradation process of organic pollutant under solar illumination.