Synthesis and properties of (Yb, N)-TiO2 photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, J.; Xu, L.J.; Zhu, Z.Q.; Liu, Q.J.
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 70(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 358
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: TiO2 -- Ionic doping -- Photo catalysts -- Methylene blue; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2015.04.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The (Yb, N)-TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The spectrum absorption region of (Yb, N)-TiO2 is red-shifted to visible light. The recombination of the photo-generated electron–hole pairs of (Yb, N)-TiO2 is suppressed. The photocatalytic activity of (Yb, N)-TiO2 is more higher than that of TiO2 -P25, N-TiO2 and the Yb-TiO2 . Abstract: (Yb, N)-TiO2 photocatalyst has been synthesized by sol–gel method combined with microwave chemical synthesis. Also, the efficiency of the (Yb, N)-TiO2 as a photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) using visible light irradiation has been evaluated. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, UV–vis-DRS and PL. The results show that the (Yb, N)-TiO2 photocatalyst has the anatase TiO2 crystalline phase. The TEM micrograph demonstrated that the average particle size of the sample was about 12 nm. The band-gap energy absorption edge shifted to longer wavelength as compared to commercial TiO2 -P25, N-TiO2 and the Yb-TiO2 prepared by our group. Results of degradation revealed that the (Yb, N)-TiO2 has shown much more higher photocatalytic activity than that of the TiO2 -P25, the N-TiO2 and the Yb-TiO2 under the visible light.