Synthesis of TiO2/Gd2O3 and TiO2/Gd2O3/Ag Nanomaterials. Application in Photocatalytic Degradation Reactions

A method of template synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium(IV) oxide and its modification with gadolinium(III) and silver oxide nanoparticles have been developed. The composition and structure of the synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray phase analysis and IR spectroscopy. The specific surface area and pore size distribution were determined. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized TiO 2 /Gd 2 O 3 and TiO 2 /Gd 2 O 3 /Ag nanomaterials in the degradation reaction of methyl orange aqueous solutions upon irradiation with UV light were estimated. It was found that the introduction of gadolinium(III) oxide increases the photocatalytic activity of the material, and the introduction of silver particles makes the photocatalyst sensitive to light with a shorter wavelength.