Preparation of N-doped and oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres via a novel electron beam-assisted method

Nitrogen-doped and oxygen-deficient TiO2 microspheres (NT) with large specific surface were prepared by a solvothermal method and following with electron beam (EB) irradiation under various doses (140-500 kGy). XPS results show that under the EB irradiation, nitrogen ions have been doped into the TiO2 lattice successfully, as well as part of Ti4+ on the surface of the samples changed to Ti3+. Photocatalytic performance was tested by decomposing Rhodamine B in the aqueous phase under visible light irradiation. The prepared materials under the EB irradiation at dose of 140 kGy (NT-140) exhibit the best visible light photocatalytic activity. It is attributed to the large specific surface (138.4 m(2)/g) and a synergistic effect between substitutional nitrogen dopants and oxygen defects in NT-140. The results obtained may provide a new sight for the application of EB-assisted preparation of nanomaterials. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.