Green Synthesis of N/Zr Co-Doped TiO2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of p-Nitrophenol in Wastewater

TiO2 prepared by a green aqueous sol–gel peptization process is co-doped with nitrogen and zirconium to improve extend its photoactivity the visible region. Two precursors are used: urea triethylamine; (IV) tert-butoxide added as source of zirconia. The N/Ti molar ratio fixed regardless chosen precursor while quantity zirconia set 0.7, 1.4, 2, or 2.8 mol%. performance physico-chemical properties these materials compared commercial Evonik P25 photocatalyst. For all doped samples, nanoparticles 4 8 nm size formed anatase-brookite phases, specific surface area between 125 280 m2 g?1 vs. 50 for X-ray photoelectron (XPS) measurements show that incorporated into through Ti-O-N bonds allowing light absorption in XPS spectra Zr-(co)doped powders presence TiO2-ZrO2 mixed oxide materials. Under light, best sample gives degradation p-nitrophenol (PNP) equal 70% instead 25% pure 10% under same conditions. Similarly, photocatalytic activity improved UV/visible reaching 95% 50% TiO2. This study suggests N/Zr can be produced safe energy-efficient way being markedly more active than state-of-the-art light.