Sol-Gel Synthesis and Structural Characterization of MgO/TiO2 Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation is one of the most promising advanced oxidation strategies for treating water contaminated by industrial, agricultural and domestic pollutants. In this work, magnesium oxide (MgO) nanosheets were synthesized by a sol–gel route, and MgO/TiO2 nanocomposites were subsequently prepared by combining the as-formed MgO with titanium dioxide (TiO2) obtained separately by the sol–gel method. Structural and morphological characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD confirmed the formation of a crystalline, polycrystalline MgO phase together with characteristic anatase-related TiO2 reflections, and the composite patterns showed additional and sharper diffraction features relative to pure MgO, indicating a structural modification of the host lattice upon TiO2 incorporation. SEM imaging revealed an amorphous, sheet-like MgO morphology with clearly resolvable interparticle voids, a granular chip-like TiO2 morphology, and, in the composite, a mixed, well-coupled two-dimensional nanosheet architecture. These results indicate that the MgO/TiO2 composite prepared here is structurally suitable as a heterogeneous photocatalyst, with the interparticle porosity expected to enhance pollutant adsorption and hence photocatalytic activity. The synthesized powders were additionally evaluated for antibacterial behaviour, consistent with the known biocidal activity of both oxide systems.