Visible-light responsive C,N-codoped Titania hollow spheres for X-3B dye photodegradation

An excellent visible light responsive C,N-codoped Titania hollow spheres were prepared by a simple wet method. Hydrazine was used as nitrogen resource. Firstly, Titania hollow spheres were prepared using carbon spheres as template. Afterwards, the hollow spheres were dipped into hydrazine hydrate, and then calcined at low temperature (120 °C) in the air. Thus, C,N-codoped Titania hollow spheres was successfully obtained. The prepared hollow spheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). Photocatalytic activity of thus prepared C,N-codoped Titania hollow spheres were investigated by degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red dye X-3B (C.I. reactive red 2) under visible light irradiation. A photocurrent-time spectrum was also applied to characterize the electron–transferring efficiency in the process of photocatalysis reactions.