Preparation of N-doped and oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres via a novel electron beam-assisted method

摘要

Abstract Nitrogen-doped and oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres (NT) with large specific surface were prepared by a solvothermal method and following with electron beam (EB) irradiation under various doses (140–500?kGy). XPS results show that under the EB irradiation, nitrogen ions have been doped into the TiO2 lattice successfully, as well as part of Ti4+ on the surface of the samples changed to Ti3+. Photocatalytic performance was tested by decomposing Rhodamine B in the aqueous phase under visible light irradiation. The prepared materials under the EB irradiation at dose of 140?kGy (NT-140) exhibit the best visible light photocatalytic activity. It is attributed to the large specific surface (138.4?m2/g) and a synergistic effect between substitutional nitrogen dopants and oxygen defects in NT-140. The results obtained may provide a new sight for the application of EB-assisted preparation of nanomaterials. Graphical abstract Under the high-energy electron beam (EB) treatment, the formation of oxygen vacancies could take place on the surface of TiO2 microspheres. Then some of the oxygen vacancies on the surface of TiO2 microspheres could be substituted by nitrogen originating from urea. The TiO2 microspheres irradiated by EB under the dose of 140?kGy (NT-140) exhibit excellent visible light photocatalytic activity, and the photodegradation ratio of Rhodamine B reaches up to 99.6% within 80?min. Display Omitted Highlights ? Nitrogen-doped and oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres were synthesized by a novel electron beam-assisted method. ? The doping dosages of nitrogen and Ti3+/Titotal ratio can be regulated by changing the irradiation dose of electron beam. ? The prepared NT microspheres exhibits excellent visible light photocatalytic activity. ]]>