Contribution of Cu and Zr to the properties of $TiO_{2}$ for photocatalytic watertreatment

Progress in nanoscale material chemistry in general, and in TiO2 photocatalysis particularly goes on. The past 10 years achievements in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity, hardening of materials, chemical and biological resistance and other unique characteristics contributed to the ability of controlling nanoparticles size and shape, particles organization and their surface chemistry. However, the drawbacks of wide band gap (3,2 eV) and fast electron/hole recombination rate of TiO2, which are limiting TiO2 application in sunlight driven photocatalysis and photocatalytic ability in general, still attract the scientists’ attention. In frame of these, there has been great interest for doping and surface modification of TiO2 with transition metals as a possibility for photoexcitation in the visible region and charge separation [1]. A lot of work in the field of TiO2 modification with copper and zirconium separately has been done. Both elements showed beneficial results in TiO2 modification [2]. However, double metal modification can lead to additional achievements [3].Copper and zirconium modified photocatalysts were obtained by wet impregnation method of P25 (Evonik Degussa). In order to follow the changes in photocatalytic properties in conjunction with local structure and origin of modified photocatalysts, two types of metal precursors (organic: copper(ll) acetyl acetonitrile, zirconium(lV) isopropoxide, and inorganic: copper nitrate, zirconyl nitrate hydrate) were used. Concentration of metals varied as well. Photocatalytic properties and surface chemistry of obtained materials were investigated. Changes in the quality and quantity of acidic sites on the surface of TiO2 were shown. Durability of photocatalytic films based on obtained powders was checked by pencil hardness test. Obtained results suggest employment of two metals simultaneously for catalyst characteristics improvement