Abstract

ABSTRACTN-doped urchin-like TiO2 (NUT) with enhanced photocatalytic properties was prepared through a surfactant-free solvothermal treatment approach using carbamide as nitrogen precursor. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Effects of different carbamide contents on the crystal phase and the photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples were discussed. XPS results showed that N doping into TiO2 formed Ti-N-O structure. SEM results showed the change of morphology after superfluous doping. N doping can form a new impurity energy level in TiO2 forbidden band and provide a favourable nucleation for TiO2 catalyst. In addition, 0.1 M NUT showed the highest photocatalytic activity among all the prepared samples upon degradation of rhodamine B under sunlight irradiation. The mechanism of organic pollutants degradation on the surface of prepared phtocatalytic was also discussed. N-doped TiO2 catalysts showed enhanced photocatalytic properties than the pure TiO2 materials which could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the special superstructure and lower energy requirement for electron transport due to N doping in the TiO2 catalyst.

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