Novel nitrogen-doped anatase TiO2 mesoporous bead photocatalysts for enhanced visible light response

mesoporous beads with controlled structures were synthesized at 200 °C without further calcination. The obtained beads were then subjected to a second cycle of microwave -assisted hydrothermal process for nitrogen doping. The photocatalytic activity of the N-doped mesoporous TiO2 beads was determined by measuring the decomposition of a methyl blue aqueous solution under UV and visible light. It was found that different precursors lead to different degrees of doping which enhances the light absorption primarily in the visible light region. We demonstrate that the photocatalytic activity or photodegradation is enhanced in the visible light region.