C, N and S codoped rutile TiO2 nanorods for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

A highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur codoped rutile TiO2 nanorods, was synthesized by our proposed two-step hydrothermal method. For comparison, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur codoped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles were also synthesized. The formation of rutile CNS-TiO2 nanorods and anatase CNS-TiO2 nanoparticles were confirmed by the results from X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization. Photocatalytic tests showed that rutile CNS-TiO2 nanorods had much higher visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity in degrading Rhodamine B, as compared with anatase CNS-TiO2 nanoparticles. The superior photocatalytic performance of rutile CNS-TiO2 nanorods was likely attributed to the nanorod structure, which is favorable for the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.