Sulphur and cerium co-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide photocatalysts and their photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene orange

Abstract

A series of sulphur and cerium co-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide photocatalysts have been prepared by a template method using thiourea, ammonium ceric nitrate and tetrabutyl titanate as precursors and Pluronic P123 as a template. The morphology, crystal structure, surface structure and optical absorption properties of the prepared samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements and UV-vis absorption spectra. The microcrystal of the co-doped photocatalyst comprises the anatase­ phase. Compared with mesoporous titanium dioxide, the co-doped samples extends the photoabsorption edge into the visible light region. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained photocatalysts under UV and visible light have been estimated by measuring the degradation rate of methylene orange in aqueous solution. Results show that the co-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than mesoporous titanium dioxide under light irradiation. The synergistic effect of sulphur and cerium co-doping plays an important role in improving the photocatalytic activity.