Photocatalytic reactivity of Ce-intercalated layered titanate prepared with a hybrid method based on ion-exchange and thermal treatment

► Ce-intercalated titanate was prepared with a hybrid method of ion-exchange and thermal treatment. ► Lengthening of Ti-O bond and the bathochromic shift of CeTO occurs. ► Lattice dislocation of CeTO reduces its photocatalytic reactivity. ► Thermal treatment improves the photocatalytic reactivity of CeTO by reducing the dislocation.