Visible Light Active Phosphorus-Doped TiO₂ Nanoparticles: An EPR Evidence for the Enhanced Charge Separation

Abstract

Phosphorus-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with visible light activity were prepared by sol–gel method by using Ti(IV) isopropoxide and phosphoric acid as precursors. As prepared samples were calcined at different temperatures, and the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning emission microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the photodegradation of methyleneblue (MB). The results indicate that phosphorus-doping into TiO2 lattice decreases the particle size, increases the thermal stability of titania, and retards the phase transition from anatase to rutile. UV–vis absorption of the P-doped samples shows the redshift in its absorption edge. Doped phosphorus exists in a pentavalent oxidation state by replacing part of lattice Ti4+ by the formation of Ti–O–P bonds. MB degradation profiles with visible light irradiation show that the photocatalytic activity of P-doped Titania is much enhanced and superior to undoped TiO2 and commercial Degussa P25. Low temperature EPR studies with in situ visible light irradiation on the samples heated at different temperatures clearly demonstrates that enhanced charge separation is the major reason for the enhanced photocatalytic activity.