Abstract: A series of Si-doped nanocrystalline titania powders were prepared by hydrothermal method using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl_4) and sodium silicate (Na_2SiO_3) as precursors. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (UV-vis DRS). As the Si doped, photocatalysts with smaller crystal size, higher content of anatase phase were obtained. It was also found that Ti-O-Si band was formed in the Si-doped samples. The photocatalytic activity of Si-doped TiO_2 were improved compare with non-doped. The possible reasons of Si-doped for the enhanced photocatalytic activity was discussed.

Key words: A series of Si-doped nanocrystalline titania powders were prepared by hydrothermal method using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl_4) and sodium silicate (Na_2SiO_3) as precursors. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (UV-vis DRS). As the Si doped, photocatalysts with smaller crystal size, higher content of anatase phase were obtained. It was also found that Ti-O-Si band was formed in the Si-doped samples. The photocatalytic activity of Si-doped TiO_2 were improved compare with non-doped. The possible reasons of Si-doped for the enhanced photocatalytic activity was discussed.