One-step thermal oxidation synthesis of carbon-doped TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity using CO2 as the carbon source

Abstract

The study proposed a simplified carbon doping synthesis strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2). Utilizing CO2 gas as the carbon source, the material was directly synthesized onto a titanium substrate through a one-step thermal oxidation method. Raman and XPS analyses indicated that with the increase in CO2 partial pressure, the influence of the carbon source was amplified, resulting in carbon doping in a graphite-like structure and the induction of oxygen vacancies. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and UV–vis spectra demonstrated that the introduced carbon species acted as a photosensitizer, augmenting the transfer of photogenerated carriers. Photoluminescence spectra suggested that oxygen vacancies could enhance the non-radiative scattering of photogenerated carriers. These two effects synergistically improved the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 significantly, although the degree of enhancement was dependent on the optimized ratio of carbon content to oxygen vacancy content. Only with optimal carbon content and oxygen vacancy levels could the undesired radiative recombination of photogenerated carriers be prevented, ensuring that the energy derived from visible light was effectively utilized to drive chemical reactions. Under these optimal conditions, the TC-O5 and TC-O10 samples exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation performance of methyl orange under visible light, with degradation rates of 86.27% and 82.54%, respectively, and displayed outstanding cycling stability, with the degradation rate remaining above 90% for three cycles. This method proved to be simple, efficient, and easily operable, offering significant advantages for industrial-scale preparation.