Facile synthesis and photocatalytic activity of platinum decorated TiO2 − xNx: Perspective to oxygen vacancies and chemical state of dopants

Nanotubular titanic acid obtained by hydrothermal method was selected as a precursor to prepare platinum decorated TiO2 − xNxvia a facile one-pot route. Photocatalytic activity of Pt/TiO2 − xNx for visible-light induced degradation of propylene was evaluated in relation to the synergistic effect among single-electron-trapped oxygen vacancies and dopants N plus Pt. It is proposed that oxygen vacancies induce a new sub-band between the valence band and conduction band of TiO2 resulting in visible light response of Pt/TiO2 − xNx; the synergistic effect among oxygen vacancies and dopants leads to enhanced photocatalytic activity of as-synthesized Pt/TiO2 − xNx. Moreover, the effect of chemical state of dopants on visible light photoactivity is discussed in detail.

► Pt/TiO2 − xNx was prepared via a facile one-pot synthesis.
► Nanotubular titanic acids were specially selected as codoped precursors.
► Dopants Pt with superfine size were well dispersed on the surface of TiO2.
► Oxygen vacancies played an important role in visible light sensitization.
► Photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of C3H6 over Pt/TiO2 − xNx was proposed.