Influence of calcination parameters on the synthesis of N-doped TiO2 by the polymeric precursors method

In this paper, the influence of calcination parameters on the synthesis of N:TiO2 catalysts obtained through the polymeric precursors method was evaluated. The powders were prepared by annealing Ti4+ precursor resins at different temperature-time conditions in air, resulting in powders with different degrees of crystallinity for N doping, which was done by adding urea to the as-prepared powders and calcining in N2 atmosphere. The N doping process resulted in band gap narrowing of TiO2 and, varying annealing temperature and time, can be an alternative method for preferential formation of substitutional N or interstitial N. It was found that the percentage of interstitial N increased with an increase in annealing temperature, resulting in the complete absence of substitutional N at 400 °C. The photocatalytic performance of the powders was evaluated using Rhodamine-B and Atrazine solutions under ultraviolet and visible irradiations. The coefficients revealed that interstitial N had a positive correlation to both ultraviolet and visible photoactivity. In contrast, substitutional N showed a negative correlation. Further, the ratio of substitutional N to interstitial N indicated a strong negative correlation to ultraviolet light photoactivity and no correlation to visible light photoactivity. However, substitutional N should be controlled for better photocatalytic properties. - Graphical abstract: The temperature influences to promote higher quantities of Interstitial N doped TiO2 than Substitutional and due to difference between energies levels for substitutional N doped TiO2 and Interstitial N doped TiO2, it is presented difference on photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • Temperature and time of synthesis of N doping TiO2 could affect the type of N (interstitial and substitutional N). • The percentage of interstitial N increased with an increase in annealing temperature. • Interstitial N improves ultraviolet and visible light degradation of color and colorless substrates (Rhod and Atraz). • Visible photoactivity may not depend only on band gap narrowing but on several factors