Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2014, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (9): 1511-1519.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(14)60093-0

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Ti3+ and carbon co-doped TiO2 with improved visible light photocatalytic activity

Yunchang Liu, Mingyang Xing, Jinlong Zhang   

  1. Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
  • Received:2014-02-21 Revised:2014-03-24 Online:2014-08-19 Published:2014-08-22
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (2013CB632403, 21237003, 21073060, 21203062), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2011CB808505), the Project of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2011DFA50530), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (12230705000), the Program of Shanghai Subject Chief Scientist (12XD1402200), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

Abstract:

Using ethanol as the carbon source, a series of Ti3+ and carbon co-doped TiO2 samples were successfully synthesized by an innovative and simple vacuum activation method in a one-step process. The Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 featured a high visible light photocatalytic activity that improved considerably following subsequent carbon doping modification of the catalyst surface. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Ti3+ and C co-doped TiO2 catalyst showed a high methyl orange photo-degradation efficiency under visible light irradiation. The doping levels induced by Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies were responsible for the improved visible light response of TiO2. Simultaneously, the surface coverage of graphite on the catalyst could improve the absorption of visible light and migration efficiency of photo-induced electrons. The synergistic effects of Ti3+ self-doping and graphite coverage led to the improved visible light photocatalytic activity of Ti3+ and C co-doped TiO2.

Key words: Vacuum activation, Ti3+-doped, Graphite coverage, Titania, Photocatalytic activity