title: Synthesis of mesoporous TiO(2-x)N(x) spheres by template free homogeneous co-precipitation method and their photo-catalytic activity under visible light illumination.
abstract: The article presents preparation, characterization and catalytic activity evaluation of an efficient nitrogen doped mesoporous titania sphere photo-catalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under visible light illumination. Nitrogen doped titania was prepared by soft chemical route i.e. template free, slow and controlled homogeneous co-precipitation from titanium oxysulfate sulfuric acid complex hydrate, urea, ethanol and water. The molar composition of TiOSO(4) to urea was varied to prepare different atomic % nitrogen doped titania. Mesoporous anatase TiO(2-x)N(x) spheres with average crystallite size of 10 nm and formation of titanium oxynitride center were confirmed from HRTEM, XRD and XPS study. UV-vis DRS showed a strong absorption in the range of 400-500 nm which supports its use in visible spectrum of light. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption study supports the porous nature of the doped material. All the TiO(2-x)N(x) samples showed higher photo-catalytic activity than Degussa P(25) and undoped mesoporous titania. Sample containing around one atomic % nitrogen showed highest activity among the TiO(2-x)N(x) samples.
authors.affiliation: Colloids and Materials Chemistry Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751 013, Orissa, India. kmparida@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Parida
authors.forename: Brundabana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D002384:Catalysis; D008027:Light; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; C009495:titanium dioxide; C100258:methyl orange; D014025:Titanium; D009584:Nitrogen; D008751:Methylene Blue