Degradation of xylene vapor over Ni-doped TiO2 photocatalysts prepared by polyol-mediated synthesis

A Ni-doped TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared by polyol method and characterized by ICP-MS, XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, SEM, and UV–vis techniques. The effect of preparational parameters such as reduction temperature and reduction time on the degradation of xylene vapor in air under UV light illumination was evaluated. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 doped with appropriate content of Ni2+ exceeded those of P25 under UV light irradiation. The polyol method not only reduced Ni2+ into metallic Ni, but also likewise transformed the anatase phase to rutile phase and decreased crystalline size of modified TiO2, which acts as an important factor in the degradation of xylene. Through polyol method, the dopant concentration and distribution could be control by adjusting the preparational parameters.