Preparation and visible light photocatalytic properties of (Er, La, N)-codoped TiO2 nanotube array films

TiO2 nanotube array films were prepared by in-situ liquid phase transformation and deposition of anodic aluminum oxidation template films with (NH4)2TiF6 dilute solution; and the (Er, La, N)-codoped films were fabricated by impregnation with rare earth elements of Er and La following by heat treatment in flow ammonia. Obviously enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic dye was obtained by codoped TiO2 under visible light irradiation compared with undoped TiO2 film, and the increase of photocatalytic performance of as-prepared TiO2 was attributed to the enlargement of light absorbency ranging from upconversed UV to red-shifted visible light up to 600 nm.