Eco-friendly fabrication and characterization of a titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles reinforced by silver (TiO 2 -Ag) and platinum (TiO 2 -Pt) nanoparticles

Abstract The Ag-doped TiO 2 and TiO 2 –Pt nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple, eco-friendly method by fine grinding with zero solutions used. TiO 2 has been loaded with just 5 wt% of Ag and Pt in TiO 2 -Ag and TiO 2 -Pt, respectively. The prepared samples have been characterized using various techniques. TEM images showed good dispersion and distribution of Ag and Pt within the TiO 2 host matrix, achieved using this simple method with fine grinding. Furthermore, EDX analysis was conducted reveal the difference in compositions of the TiO 2 -Ag and TiO 2 –Pt NPs samples is illustrated. From the elemental mapping mode, highly uniformly dispersed Ag and Pt nanoparticles on the TiO 2. The XRD patterns of the synthesized TiO 2 -Ag and TiO 2 -Pt are shown in the planes of the anatase phase and the lattice constant of anatase. The lattice constant was not influenced by the doped Ag and Pt. The thermal behaviour was studied by DSC–TGA analysis. The weight loss at 900 °C in the TGA curve is 13% and 12%, respectively, with around 5% thermal enhancement when only 5 wt% of Ag and Pt are added. That is a promising potential application of TiO 2 in solar cells with high thermal stability.