Pr, N, and P tri-doped anatase TiO2 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic activity under sunlight

Pr, N, and P tri-doped anatase TiO2 nanosheets (PrNPTO) were synthesized by a combined sol-gel solvothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. When the Pr-doping concentration was 1.75 wt% and calcination temperature employed was 550 °C, the resulting PrNPTO showed the highest photoactivity towards the degradation of methylene blue under visible and UV light irradiation. PrNPTO also displayed superior photoactivity towards the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under sunlight (kapp = 3.90 × 10−2 min−1) over the non-doped, single-doped, and co-doped samples, and P25 TiO2 (kapp = 1.17 × 10−2 min−1). The high photoactivity of PrNPTO was attributed to the increased UV and visible light absorption properties, reduced recombination of photogenerated carriers, increased surface hydroxyl content, and improved surface textural properties. PrNPTO was highly efficient and stable under simulated sunlight irradiation, which are essential attributes for practical application in environment-related remediation schemes.

Graphical AbstractEnhanced photoactivity of PrNPTO is attributed to increased UV and visible light absorption, reduced recombination of photogenerated e−-h+, increased surface hydroxyl content, and improved surface textural properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide