[Preparation of weak light driven TiO2 multi composite photocatalysts via adsorption phase synthesis]

Photodegradation of pollutions by TiO2 under irradiation of weak UV and visible lights was one of the key points to expand the application of heterogeneous photocatalysis. Based on the adsorption phase synthesis, N doping and co-doping with N and Fe2O3 were employed to prepare TiO2 multi composite photocatalysts. The activity of these photocatalyts was evaluated by photodegradation of methyl-orange illuminated under weak UV and visible lights. Via UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra, the effects on the light absorption and visible response expansion of catalysts caused by different conditions were explored, such as sintering temperature, doping content of N and co-doping. Followed that, the changes in the photocatalytic activities were studied under the irradiation of weak light. The results showed that, N doping could enhance the light absorption of the catalysts, thus significantly enhanced their photocatalytic activity illuminated under UV weak light. All N-doped photocatalysts had a higher activity than the commercial available P25 photocatalyst. The visible response of catalysts was expanded little caused by N doping, thereby most catalysts doped by single N element had no activity illuminated by weak visible light. Only the catalyst doped with 5% of N element showed a weak activity after calcined at 900 degrees C . Due to the synergy effects between N doping and Fe2O3 coupling, co-doping did not only enhance the light absorption of the catalysts, but also significantly expanded the visible response of catalysts. So, co-doped catalysts showed a good catalytic activity when excited by weak visible light.