Enhanced Photocatalytic Response of N Doped Niobium Titanates Prepared by Ion Exchange Process

Abstract

Herein we report the homogeneous and effective substitution of O by N in the layered titanates. The resultant materials HTiNbO5-xNx (350°C, 30 min) unveiled extraordinary band-to-band excitation and increased absorption intensity (induced by oxygen vacancies). Upward shift of valence band maximum by N 2p states is confirmed by photoelectron spectroscopy and is concluded as the source of band-to-band visible light excitation. The electrons generated upon visible light excitation in the conduction band of HTiNbO5-xNx (350°C, 30 min) had strong reduction ability, reducing O2 into active O2•- radicals during photocatalysis. These findings are the clear evidence for the substantial role of doped N in achieving band-to-band visible-light photon excitation in layered titanates. The new physical insights into substitutional N in layered titanates with hydrogen bond (weak bond energy) gained here may have important implications for developing other efficient visible light photocatalysts by nonmetal doping.