Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Modified with GaI toward Environmental Application

Gallium (Ga) ion-doped TiO2 (Ga-TiO2) nanocomposite with small particle size (9–10 nm) and high surface area (104 m2/g) has been easily synthesized via sol–gel method at low temperature by using low-valent GaI as a doping precursor. The structural and morphological characterization of Ga-TiO2 was carried out with standard analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Ga doping into the TiO2 matrix inhibited a phase transformation from anatase to rutile (photocatalytically inactive) form, even at a higher temperature of 750 °C. Finally, Ga-TiO2 nanocomposite showed high photocatalytic activity and exhibited 97% degradation of acid violet 63 dye within 60 min. The dye degradation rate constant was calculated as 1.6 × 10–1 and 1.4 × 10–1 min–1 under UV and white light irradiation, respectively, which is higher, as compared to the previously reported Ga-TiO2 composites to date.