Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity of B, La co-doped mesoporous TiO2 for methylene blue degradation

Mesoporous titanium dioxide co-doped with boron and lanthanum has been prepared by template method using boric acid triethyl ester, lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate and tetrabutyl titanate as precursors and Pluronic P123 as template. The as-prepared photocatalyst is characterized by thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis adsorption spectroscopy. The microcrystalline structure of the co-doped photocatalyst comprises the anatase phase and is present in the form of almost spherical particles. Compared with pure mesoporous TiO2, the photoabsorption edge of the B, La co-doped samples extends into the visible light region. The photocatalytic performance has been studied by photodegradation of methyl blue in water under UV and visible light irradiation. The results of MB photodecomposition show that co-doped mesoporous TiO2 exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than pure mesoporous TiO2 under UV light irradiation. The synergistic effect of boron and lanthanum co-doping plays an important role in improving the photocatalytic activity.