Disclosing the hidden presence of Ti3+ ions in different TiO2 crystal structures synthesized at low temperature and photocatalytic evaluation by methylene blue photobleaching

We have performed a comprehensive study on the relationship among different crystal structures of TiO2, appearance of self-doping Ti3+ ions at low synthesis temperature, and photodegradation efficiency of the organic dye methylene blue (MB). Samples with anatase and rutile phase of TiO2 were synthesized by microwave assisted hydrothermal method. The anatase structured samples promote faster MB photobleaching in comparison with the rutile one....