Copper doped TiO2nanoparticles characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, total scattering, and powder diffraction – a benchmark structure–property study

Abstract

Metal functionalized nanoparticles potentially have improved properties e.g. in catalytic applications, but their precise structures are often very challenging to determine. Here we report a structural benchmark study based on tetragonal anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles containing 0–2 wt% copper. The particles were synthesized by continuous flow synthesis under supercritical water–isopropanol conditions. Size determination using synchrotron PXRD, TEM, and X-ray total scattering reveals 5–7 nm monodisperse particles. The precise dopant structure and thermal stability of the highly crystalline powders were characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and multi-temperature synchrotron PXRD (300–1000 K). The combined evidence reveals that copper is present as a dopant on the particle surfaces, most likely in an amorphous oxide or hydroxide shell. UV-VIS spectroscopy shows that copper presence at concentrations higher than 0.3 wt% lowers the band gap energy. The particles are unaffected by heating to 600 K, while growth and partial transformation to rutile TiO₂ occur at higher temperatures. Anisotropic unit cell behavior of anatase is observed as a consequence of the particle growth (a decreases and c increases).