Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of N-doped titanate nanotubes for visible-light-responsive photocatalysis.
This study employs a rapid, energy frugal and environmental friendly method to synthesize nitrogen doped titanate nanotubes (NTNTs), and uses TEM, XRD, Raman, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms analysis, and UV-vis spectroscopy to characterize the obtained NTNTs. TEM results demonstrate that the current research successfully synthesized one-dimensional NTNTs via the microwave hydrothermal (M-H) method, and show that NTNTs retain a tubular structure after sintering at a temperature of 350°C. XRD results agree well with Raman spectrum findings. Both show that the intensity of anatase crystallization increases with an increase in sintering temperature. After sintering at high temperature, above 250°C, the UV-vis absorbance edges of NTNTs significantly shift to the visible-light region, which illustrates N atom doping into nanotubes. Photocatalytic tests conclude that the NTNTs-350 shows good efficiency with visible-light response.
Peng
Yen-Ping
YP
Research Center for Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Technology, Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Lo
Shang-Lien
SL
Ou
Hsin-Hung
HH
Lai
Shiau-Wu
SW
D002384:Catalysis; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D008027:Light; D008872:Microwaves; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D009584:Nitrogen