Diana Yessenkeldina
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics)
Photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂ is often limited by fast charge recombination and insufficient surface activity. In this work, a TiO₂ photocatalyst doped with magnesium and aluminum ions (TiO₂:Mg,Al-4%) was investigated after exposure to thermal neutrons. The aim was to evaluate the effect of combined doping and neutron irradiation on photocatalytic performance. The samples were tested in the degradation of methylene blue under UV light, and their structural properties were analyzed. The results showed a significant increase in photocatalytic activity while maintaining the phase composition of TiO₂. The improvement was attributed to neutron-induced diffusion of dopant ions and modification of defect states at the surface. This approach demonstrates a promising route to engineer stable and highly efficient photocatalysts for environmental purification and energy-related applications, including hydrogen production.
Keywords: TiO₂, photocatalysis, doping, neutron irradiation, defect engineering, environmental applications
Aigerim Serik
(Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Asset Shaimerdenov
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Bakhtiyar Nurgozhayev
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Chingis Daulbayev
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakh-British Technical University)
Darkhan Sairanbayev
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Diana Yessenkeldina
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics)
Magzhan Aitkulov
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Renat Beissenov
(Kazakh-British Technical University)
Timur Khalila
(Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Ulzhan Abdikarimova
(Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Zhengisbek Kuspanov
(Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Electrochemical conversion and energy storage laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
