Abstract: Composite photocatalysts(Cu²⁺-TiO₂/AC) were prepared via a sol-gel method by means of activated carbon(AC) supported TiO₂ nanoparticles with copper ions doping. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, ESR, FS, UV-Vis and BET analysis. The effects of specific surface area of AC and amount of Cu ions doping on the photoactivity of the as-prepared samples were analyzed by photodegradation of Rhodamine B(RB). The results show that Cu ions exist in a form of the Cu²⁺ ions and there are a few of Ti³⁺ ions state in titanium dioxide. The TiO₂ nanoparticles show the quantum size efficiency, the notablely blue shifting of absorption threshold and the optic response range expanding to visual light. Additionally, the FS intensity of TiO₂/AC decreases via proper amount of Cu ions doping. The microcosmic structure of AC is changed by coating and heat treatment at a high temperature. Photocatalysts(3%Cu²⁺-TiO₂/AC₃) show the highest photoactivity by using AC₃ as the carrier with 3% Cu²⁺ ions doping, meanwhile, they can be easily recovered from the reaction solution and reused with a high photoactivity.

Key words: Titanium dioxide nanoparticle, Doping, Cu ion, Activated carbon, Photocatalysis