Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity by the Comprehensive Effects of Mesoporous and N-Doping at the Meso-N-TiO2 Nanocatalysts

Meso-N-TiO2 nanocatalysts (Nx-MT) were successfully synthesized through evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method by using urea as the nitrogen source and Pluronic F127 as the templating agent. Through a series of characterizations and degradation of rhodamine B under simulated sunlight, the roles of mesoporous and N-doping in the Nx-MT nanocatalyst were evaluated. The Nx-MT exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity due to the comprehensive effect of mesopores and N-doping. The effects of calcination temperature and N concentration on the performance of the catalyst were studied. Besides, the relationship between the pore volume of Nx-MT and the catalytic reaction rate was clarified. Moreover, the turn-over number (TON) was used to evaluate the effect of the amount of nitrogen doping on the catalytic activity per active site.

Automated summary

Nx-MT nanocatalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity due to the comprehensive effect of mesopores and N-doping. The effects of calcination temperature and N concentration on the catalyst performance were studied, and the relationship between the pore volume of Nx-MT and the catalytic reaction rate was clarified. Moreover, the turn-over number (TON) was used to evaluate the effect of the amount of nitrogen doping on the catalytic activity per active site.