Enhancement of the photocatalytic response of Cu-doped TiO2 nanotubes induced by the addition of strontium

The influence of adding strontium to Cu-doped TiO2 nanotubes on the photocatalytic performance resulting materials was herein studied considering changes in structural, textural, optical and morphological properties. Addition performed a 0.2–1.0 wt% range while an optimized fixed Cu loading 0.5 used. were obtained using alkaline hydrothermal treatment P25 followed by calcination at 400 °C. TiNT material then impregnated with copper incipient wetness impregnation new °C (0.5Cu-TiNT). Strontium added under similar impregnation-calcination conditions. effect various amounts onto 0.5Cu-TiNT therefore deeply characterized X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy coupled energy-dispersive analysis, Raman, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, photoelectron, photoluminescence spectroscopies as well determining dielectric Results clearly emphasize that up Sr 0.8 wt%, addition results situ formation Sr-O-Ti entities surface 0.5Cu-TiNT. Above this threshold loading, excess leads segregated SrO species. Finally, direct correlation observed here between enhanced response due improved stabilization photogenerated charges from ferroelectric interference neighboring SrTiO3 entities.