An Improved Calcination Route to Synthesize Carbon Doped Mesoporous TiO2 and Its Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light

Abstract

Carbon doped mesoporous TiO₂ was prepared by an improved calcination route. X-Ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption were used to characterize the prepared TiO₂ samples. Citric acid was used as not only carbon source but also the pore-forming agent. The photocatalytic activities were tested in the degradation of an aqueous solution of a reactive dyestuff, methylene blue, under both UV and visible light. The carbon doped mesoporous TiO₂ prepared by improved calcination route showed much higher photocatalytic activity than that of catalyst prepared by conventional calcination route and neat TiO₂ under visible light. A possible mechanism for the photocatalysis was proposed.