Surface chemical analysis on the carbon-doped mesoporous TiO2 photocatalysts after post-thermal treatment: XPS and FTIR characterization

Mesoporous carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticle was prepared by combining a hydrothermal process with a post-thermal treatment, where glucose was used as a carbon-doping source. Physicochemical properties of the carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticle were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption. Results indicate that post-thermal treatment of the carbon-doped TiO2 has not only little influence on the crystal size but also can increase the specific surface area and the pore volume slightly, Also a slightly increase of the specific surface area and the pore volume of the sample was due to the removing of carbonaceous organic materials during post-thermal process. And the post-thermal treatment is an effective and facile method to change the surface chemical structure of the carbon-doped TiO2 for using as photocatalysts.

► This paper analyses mesoporous C-TiO2 photocatalysts from surface chemical analysis. ► The influence of post-thermal treatment were investigated. ► A free electron, generating a superoxide radical anion (·O2−) that is responsible for degradation of MO.