N and Ti3+ co-doped 3D anatase TiO2 superstructures composed of ultrathin nanosheets with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Structure-maneuvering and impurity element-doping are considered two of the most effective ways to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ catalysts. A facile solvothermal strategy was developed to simultaneously realize these two superiorities. The experimental results reveal that the as-prepared TiO₂ exhibits a three-dimensional mesoporous hierarchical superstructure self-assembled by ultrathin nanosheets, which endows the product with a high surface area (∼240 m² g⁻¹) and abundant mesopores resulting in high adsorption capacity for pollutant molecules and high absorption ability for incoming light. N doping and concomitant Ti³⁺ incorporation systematically account for reduction of the bandgap and thus realize vis-photocatalytic activity. As expected, the as-prepared TiO₂ catalyst exhibits good photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.