Work

Antimony (Sb)-Modified TiO2 nanoparticles: Enhanced photocatalytic performance for organic pollutant degradation under UV-visible light

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study reports the sol-gel synthesis and systematic characterization of Sb-loaded TiO 2 nanoparticles (0-10 wt%) for enhanced photocatalytic applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a stable tetragonal anatase phase across all compositions, while SEM/EDX analyses revealed a homogeneous morphology with average crystallite sizes ranging from 11 to 12 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified the presence of Sb predominantly in the Sb +3 oxidation state. Sb incorporation markedly modified the electronic structure, leading to a reduction in the optical band gap from 3.2 to 2.7 eV, alongside an increase in Urbach energy up to 0.49 eV, indicating increased structural disorder and introduction of localized states. Furthermore, Sb loading enhanced the BET specific surface area to 123.39 m 2 g −1 , significantly increasing the availability of active sites. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated via degradation of methylene blue under UV-Vis irradiation. The 7 wt% Sb-loaded sample exhibited the highest activity, achieving complete degradation within 120 min. This enhanced performance is attributed to improved charge separation efficiency and a significant decrease in charge transfer resistance (from 265 kΩ to 26 kΩ), as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Scavenger experiments identified superoxide radicals as the dominant reactive species responsible for the degradation process. Overall, these findings demonstrate that Sb-modified TiO 2 is a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation, offering superior charge transport, surface properties, and photocatalytic efficiency.

Source: Ceramics International

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2026.04.038