Synthesis and Characterization of Novel N-doped TiO2 Photocatalyst with Visible Light Active

A novel N-doped TiO2 （N1-N2-TiO2） with substitutional and interstitial N impurities simultaneously was successfully synthesized. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance. The results demonstrated that the nitrogen was substituted for the lattice oxygen atoms, and was also interstitially doped into the TiO2 lattice. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the N1-N2-TiO2 showed the highest photocatalytic activities of all the N-doped TiO2 under visible light, attributing to the synergetic effect of substitutional and interstitial nitrogen of N-doped TiO2.

Effect of Cobalt Precursor on Microstructures and Visible Light Photoactivity of Doped TiO2 Powders

In order to develop photoactive cobalt-doped TiO2 for the degradation of organic pollutants using visible light irradiation, the effects of cobalt precursor on TiO2 microstructure were investigated. Three cobaltprecursors, i.e. COCl2, Co（NO3）2 and COSO4 with two doping levels （nominally 1% and 10%）, and two annealing temperatures （400 and 800 ℃） were adopted to prepare tile doped titania through the sol-gel method. The powder samples were characterized with XRD, SEM, BET surface area analysis and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of aniline under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the distribution of titania phases, particle size, morphology, surface area and the optical absorption of the catalysts were greatly dependent on the cobalt precursors. Samples prepared from Co（NO3）2, especially for those doped at 1% and calcined at 400 ℃, showed the highest photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of aniline, and the possible reasons are discussed briefly.

Fabrication and ultraviolet-shielding properties of silica-coated titania-doped ceria nanoparticles

A series of well-dispersed titania-doped ceria nanoparticles Ce1–xTixO2 were rapidly prepared by a novel salt-assisted solution combustion process using correspondent metal nitrates as oxidizers and ethyl glycol as fuel, and then coated with amorphous silica by seeded polymerization using tetraethyl orthoslicate （TEOS）. The as-prepared samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, and ultraviolet-visible light （UV-Vis） diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicated that compared with the as-prepared pure ceria nanoparticles, the red-shift phenomenon occurred for Ti-doped ceria nanoparticles with Ti incorporation. Meanwhile, the absorption intensity in the UV light region slightly decreased and transmission rate in visible light region was somewhat enhanced. In comparison with the silica-coated CeO2 nanopowders, the silica-coated Ce0.95Ti0.05O2 nanopowders displayed the same absorption intensity in the UV light region, broader UV absorption band and higher transmission rate in visible light region.

Characterization and Electrochemical Properties of Nanostructured Zr-Doped Anatase TiO_2 Tubes Synthesized by Sol–Gel Template Route

A series of nanostructured Zr-doped anatase TiO_2 tubes with the Zr/Ti molar ratio of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and0.09 were prepared by a sol–gel technology on a carbon fiber template. The electrochemical performance of Zr-doped anatase TiO_2 as anodes for rechargeable lithium batteries was investigated and compared with undoped titania. Tests represented that after 35-fold charge/discharge cycling at C/10 the reversible capacity of Zr-doped titania（Zr/Ti = 0.03） reaches 135 m A h g^（-1）, while the capacity of undoped titania（Zr/Ti = 0） yielded only 50 m A h g^（-1）. Based on the results of the physicochemical investigation, three reasons of improving electrochemical performance of Zr-doped titania were suggested. According to the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, Zr^（4＋） doping induces a decrease in nanoparticle size, which facilitates the Li＋diffusion. The Raman investigations show the more open structure of Zr-doped TiO_2 as compared to undoped titania due to changing of the unit cell parameters, that significantly affects on the reversibility of the insertion/extraction process. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicate that substitution of Zr^（4＋） for Ti^（4＋） into anatase TiO_2 has favorable effects on the conductivity.

Gadolinium-modified titanium oxide materials for photoenergy applications:a review

Gadolinium doped titania materials were explored for application in photoenergy production. Incorporation of gadolinium into titania permitted improvement of photocatalytic or photovoltaic performance of the latter. This review provided a deep analysis of gadolinium applications in photoenergy processes and devices with the main focus on explanation of gadolinium doping effect on physicochemical properties of titania.