Enhanced photocatalytic activity of (Zn, N)-codoped TiO2 nanoparticles

(Zn, N)-codoped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results testified that anatase samples were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) patterns revealed that the average grain size of all the samples is about 15 nm and the Zn doping caused obvious particle aggregation. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of the samples were measured to testify the aggregation. The Zn doping caused slight blue-shift of absorption edge by the ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) measurements. The photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution was best enhanced in the (Zn, N)-codoped TiO2 with 1 at.% Zn doping level. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the samples were also investigated, which revealed that the oxygen vacancy and isolated N 2p states played important roles in the photo-generated charge carrier recombination in the (Zn, N)-codoped TiO2. It was suggested that the doping induced oxygen vacancies could promote the photocatalytic oxidation processes.

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► (Zn, N)-codoped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel method.
► The photocatalytic activity in TiO2 was enhanced due to the synergistic action of N and Zn doping.
► The photo-generated charge carrier transfer in the photocatalysts was studied by the PL spectra.
► The oxygen vacancy played multiple roles in the photocatalysts.