Gel-hydrothermal synthesis of carbon and boron co-doped TiO2 and evaluating its photocatalytic activity

► Carbon and boron co-doped TiO2 photocatalysts with larger surface area were prepared firstly by the gel-hydrothermal method. ► Surface coke carbon photosensitization effect is responsible for its high photocatalytic activity in the visible light irradiation. ► B-C synergistic effects play the major role in its effective photo-degradation of 2,4-DCP under the visible light.