Synthesis of visible-light responsive C, N and Ce co-doped TiO2 mesoporous membranes via weak alkaline sol-gel process

A visible-light responsive C, N and Ce co-doped TiO2 mesoporous membrane has been synthesized via a weakly alkaline sol-gel route using P123 template. The co-doping of C, N and Ce resulted in a lowered band gap of 2.14 eV which improved the photocatalytic activity in visible light. The Ce-dopant was found to strengthen the Ti-O bond that stabilized the anatase phase as well as the assembled interconnected mesoporous structure during high temperature calcination. The stabilization of the crystal phase and pore structure resulted in a higher surface area, smaller and more uniform pore size in the membrane. The membrane exhibited a low cut-off molecular weight of 3300 Da and a water flux of 4.05 L m(-2) h(-1) per bar.