Visible light active anion codoped sol gel titania photocatalyst for pollutant degradation

The photocatalytic activity of carbon and nitrogen co-doped sol gel TiO2 is tested using methyleneblue degradation and it is found that the activity drops sharply with increase in calcination temperature. The system calcined at 300 °C was found to be the most efficient in dye degradation and can be considered as a good candidate for the future photocatalytic applications. This highly active anion doped TiO2 is found to show amorphous nature. Elemental analysis reveals the co existence of C and N dopants, which may be responsible for the high efficiency of the catalyst. Visible absorbance is evident from the UV–VIS Diffuse Reflectance Spectra. The N2 adsorption desorption studies show the H1 hysteresis loops and a well defined mesoporous nature is observed for the catalytic systems prepared in the presence of urea. XPS analysis indicates the presence of Ti–C and Ti–N bonds which are responsible for the visible light activity of the photocatalysts.