A DFT+U study of (Rh, Nb)-codoped rutile TiO2

A systematic study of electronic structure and band gap states is conducted to analyze the monodoping and charge compensated codoping of rutile TiO2 with Rh and Nb, using the DFT + U approach. Doping of rutile TiO2 with Rh atoms induces hybridized O 2p and Rh 4d band gap states leading to a red shift of the optical absorption edge, consistent with previous experimental studies. Since Rh monodoping may induce recombination centers, charge compensated codoping with Rh and Nb is also explored. This codoping induces an electron transfer from Nb induced states to Rh 4d states, which suppresses the formation of Rh4+, thereby leading to a reduction in recombination centers and to the formation of more stable Rh3+. A combination of band gap reduction by 0.5 eV and the elimination of band gap states that account for recombination centers makes (Rh, Nb)-codoped TiO2 a more efficient and stable photocatalyst.