Preparation of C, N and P co-doped TiO2 and its photocatalytic activity under visible light

A series of composite catalysts of C, N and P co-doped TiO2 were prepared by sol-gel method, using a biomass (soluble starch) dopant. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results show that TiO2 is co-doped with C, N and P by one step. The resulting composite exhibited higher specific surface area, wider visible-light absorption band with respect to the pure TiO2. The sample calcined at 400 degrees C for 2 h with a doping amount of 6 g soluble starch showed the best electrochemical performance. The C, N and P co-doped TiO2 was also used for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and degradation ratio was up to 98% in 80 min under visible light irradiation.