Photocatalytic Activity of Lanthanum and Sulfur Co-doped TiO2 Photocatalyst under Visible Light

A novel lanthanum and sulfur co-doped TiO 2 photocatalyst was synthesized by precipitation-dipping method,and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.Compared with the S-doped TiO 2 ,La-doped TiO 2 and the standard Degussa P25 photocatalysts,the lanthanum and sulfur co-doped TiO 2 photocatalyst(the molar percentage of La is 3.0%)calcined at 450℃for 2 h showed the strongest absorption for visible light and highest activities for degradation of reactive blue 19 dye in aqueous solution under visible light(λ>400 nm)irradiation.It was also discovered that the co-doping of lanthanum and sulfur hindered the aggregation and growth of TiO 2 particles, and the doping of lanthanum reduced slightly the phase transition temperature of TiO 2 from anatase to rutile.