One-step template-free route for synthesis of mesoporous N-doped titania spheres

In this paper, mesoporous nitrogen-doped TiO2 microspheres were prepared by a template-free solvothermal method. The nitrogen-doped TiO2 mesoporous spheres show higher visible-light photocatalytic activity than the undoped TiO2. The dual role of urea helps the formation of a mesoporous structure and the doping of nitrogen into TiO2 to be completed simultaneously during the solvothermal process. The amount of urea shows the crucial effect on the mesoporous structure and nitrogen doping in TiO2.