Preparation and photocatalytic properties of visible light responsive N-doped TiO2/rectorite composites

N-doped TiO2/rectorite (NTR) mesoporous materials were synthesized and characterized by XRD, TEM, BET, XPS, FTIR, and UV–vis DRS. The XRD analysis indicated that the layered structure of rectorite was destroyed to some extent. TiO2 in the composites exists in anatase phase. The XPS and FTIR analyses confirm that nitrogen was doped into TiO2 lattices successfully. The UV absorption edges of the NTR samples showed a red shift as compared to that of the undoped TiO2. The NTR photocatalyst prepared at 400 °C showed a strong adsorption capability and a high visible light photocatalytic activity, which could be attributed to the synergetic effects of the rectorite structure and the N-doping.

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► The N-doped TiO2/rectorite mesoporous composites were prepared successfully.
► The composites with large specific surface area showed a strong adsorption.
► The N-doping resulted in a red shift of the UV absorption edges of the composites.
► The composites showed a high visible light photocatalytic activity