Electrodeposition preparation of Ag loaded N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

Ag nanoparticles loaded N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (Ag/N-TNTs) were successfully fabricated by an electrodeposition method. The Ag/N-TNTs were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The average photocurrent density and the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the Ag/N-TNTs obtained for the degradation of Acid Orange II（AO-II）are 6 times and 6.8 times higher than those of annealed TiO2 nanotube arrays (A-TNTs), respectively. This bestows the Ag/N-TNTs as a promising photocatalytic material for organic pollutant degradation under visible light.

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► Ag/N-TNTs are successfully fabricated by an electrodeposition method.
► The integration of N and Ag can synergistically improve the photocatalytic property.
► The average photocurrent density of the Ag/N-TNTs is 6 times that of the TNTs.