Enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using efficient Mg/S codoped TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract Herein, the Mg-S codoped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the sol-gel method, and their photocatalytic activity of MB (Methylene Blue) dye was examined under simulated visible light. The crystal structure, morphology analysis, optical properties, and photocatalytic performance of synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM with EDS, TEM, UV-DRS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results showed that Mg/S codoped TiO2 NPs had pure anatase structure with spherical morphology. The band gap energy Mg/S codoped TiO2 was decreased from 3.12 eV to 2.78 eV by adding the doping and codoping of Mg and S into TiO2 NPs. The Mg/S codoped TiO2 NPs showed excellent photocatalytic activity compared to that of pristine TiO2, Mg-TiO2, and S-TiO2 NPs. The maximum degradation efficiency of MB was achieved at 94.8% for Mg/S codoped TiO2 NPs. Meanwhile, the possible photocatalytic mechanism of Mg/S codoped TiO2 was discussed. The current investigation delivers a promising strategy to promote photocatalytic activity for the elimination of waterborne contaminants.