Preparation of N-functionalized TiO2 particles using one-step sol–gel method and their photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) 2016, 37(0), , pp.380-389
• Main Authors: Jang, Inseok, Leong, Hui Jun, Noh, Hongche, Kang, Taeho, Kong, Sungho, Oh, Seong-Geun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Inorganic compounds; Oxides; Photoelectron spectroscopy; Sol–gel growth; Surface properties; 화학공학
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2016.04.002

[Display omitted] •TiO2 particles were functionalized with nitrogen atoms to improve the photocatalytic activity. This functionalization was performed at mild conditions through sol–gel technique.•Diameters of N-TiO2 spheres were controlled from 250 to 2200nm by varying TTEAIP concentration.•N-TiO2 particles exhibited a good performance for methylene blue photodegradation. Nitrogen functionalized TiO2 (N-TiO2) particles having an excellent dispersibility were prepared by sol–gel method. Generally, N-TiO2 particles have been made at the harsh preparation conditions including either high temperature or high pressure with nitrogen sources. However, in this research, N-TiO2 particles were prepared through facile sol–gel reaction with titanium(IV) (triethanolaminato)-isopropoxide (TTEAIP) precursor at mild conditions. The diameter of titania spheres could be tunable from 250 to 2200nm by varying TTEAIP concentrations. Photocatalytic performances of N-TiO2 were examined through the degradation of methylene blue. N-TiO2 particles exhibited 3–10 times better performance of methylene blue photodegradation than that of commercial P25.