Visible-light photocatalytic behavior of two different N-doped TiO2

The visible-light photocatalytic behavior of two different N-doped TiO2 correlated with their physicochemical properties was investigated. The results show that N-TiO2-1, prepared by a novel TiO2 with unique defect structure, is more active in visible-light photocatalytic oxidation of C3H6 than N-TiO2-2, prepared by standard P25-TiO2 (Degussa). The specific rate constant of the former is ca. 5 times that of the latter. One model of photoactive center (Vo–NO–Ti) in anatase phase responsible for the visible-light photocatalytic activity is proposed. The higher the Vo–NO–Ti concentration is, the better the visible-light photocatalytic activity is.