Preparation and properties of activated carbon supported nitrogen doped visible-light response TiO2-xNy/AC photocatalysts

An efficient visible-light response composite photocatalyst TiO(2-x)Ny/AC was prepared by calcination of the mixture of TiO2 precursor made by acid catalyzed hydrolysis method and actived carbon (AC) in NH3/N-2 atmosphere. Photocatalytic activity was investigated through the photocatalytic degradation of phenol. The separability of TON/AC was determined by gravity sedimentation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, scanning electron microscope and N-2 adsorption isotherm were used for catalyst characterization. The results show that anion N is incorporated into TiO2 lattice and substitutes part of O. TON/AC with suitable N-doping exhibits high activity under ultraviolet light, visible light and solar light irradiation. Also, TON/AC exhibits better decantability and less deactivation. Doped-N can form a new band gap above the valence band of TiO2 which can extend the adsorption edge to 450-550nm. In addition, Actived carbon support is beneficial to the high dispersion and large surface area of N-doped TiO2.