(Bi, C and N) codoped TiO2 nanoparticles

Bi, C and N codoped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by doping TiO2 with BiCl3 and KSCN in a sol-gel process (denoted as (Bi,SCN)-TiO2). The catalyst samples were then characterized by XRD, TEM, diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), XPS, FT-IR and N2 sorption. Bi, C and N elements were detected both by XPS and elemental analysis, while S element was not found, suggesting that SCN− group may have decomposed during the sol-gel process. The effects of the doping on the properties and photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 were investigated. It was found that the cation and the anion affected the properties of TiO2 differently. The optical absorption onset of TiO2 red shifted in the presence of Bi3+, while long tail occurred in the presence of SCN−. The order of photoreactivity for TiO2 samples was as follow: (Bi,SCN)-TiO2 > Bi-TiO2 > undoped TiO2 > p25 TiO2, whatever under UV or visible light illumination. The high photoreactivity of the doped TiO2 was also discussed.