Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 produced in a solid phase reaction

N-doped TiO2 was synthesized by calcining a mixture of titanic acid and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) at temperatures above 500 °C. The final samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 was studied by assessing the degradation of methylene blue in an aqueous solution, under visible light and UV light irradiation. It was found that the N-doped TiO2 displayed higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2, under both visible and UV light.

► N-doped TiO2 was synthesized in a solid phase reaction. ► A new pathway to prepare TiO2 nanomaterial. ► Optical properties influenced the photocatalytic activity.