2011, 40(4):723-727.
Abstract:
TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by anodic oxidation, and then an electrochemical process was conducted using the as-prepared TiO2 nanotube arrays as cathode and Pt as anode; the electrolyte was Zr(NO3)4, NH4Cl and mixture of Zr(NO3)4 and NH4Cl, respectively. Zr-doped, N-doped and Zr, N-codoped titania nanotube arrays were prepared. The nanotube arrays were characterized by FESEM, UV-vis DRS, XRD and XPS. FESEM show that the nanotube arrays are about 70 nm in diameter and 400 nm in length. UV-vis DRS reveal that the absorption band of co-doped nanotube arrays moves towards long wavelength. XPS indicate that the concentrations of Zr in Zr/TiO2, N in N/TiO2 and Zr, N in Zr, N/TiO2 nanotube arrays are 0.51%, 1.92%, 0.77% and 1.29%, respectively (atom fraction). N1s exhibits a single peak in N/TiO2 and double peaks in Zr, N/TiO2 nanotube arrays, which indicates that N forms are different in N/TiO2 and Zr, N/TiO2 nanotube arrays. The photocatalytic activities were tested by degradation of Rhodamine B aqueous solution. The results show that Zr-doping improves TiO2 photocatalytic activity in UV region, N-doping improves TiO2 photocatalytic activity in visible light region, and Zr, N-codoping evokes synergetic reaction and enhances TiO2 photocatalytic activity greatly both in UV and Vis regions.