Hydrothermal preparation and photocatalytic performance of N, S-doped nanometer TiO2 under sunshine irradiation

N, S-doped TiO2 photocatalysts at a nanometer scale were successfully prepared by hydrothermal process, and photocatalytic activity of the obtained powders for degradation of methyl orange under sunshine irradiation was studied. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, FT-IR and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Experimental results indicate that the Nitrogen and Sulfur atoms are incorporated into the lattice of TiO2, and they exist in the state of S6 + and substitutional or interstitial N, respectively. The incorporation was responsible for narrowing the band gap of TiO2 and shifting its optical response from ultraviolet to the visible-light region. The 3% N, S-TiO2 photocatalyst calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate of 10 mg L− 1 methyl orange solution reached approximately 92% under sunshine irradiation for 6 h when the pH value of the methyl solution was 4.

Graphical abstractN, S-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal process. Nitrogen and Sulfur atoms were incorporated into the lattice of TiO2 and responsible for narrowing the band gap of TiO2 to shift its optical response from ultraviolet to visible-light region. The 3% N, S-TiO2 photocatalyst calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Simple hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize visible-light response catalyst. ► The N,S-doped nanometer TiO2 catalyst exhibited higher photocatalytic activity. ► The incorporation of N, S species into TiO2 could enhance the visible-light absorption. ► It would attract more attention for application.