A facile photoassisted route to synthesis N, F-codoped oxygen-deficient TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation.

Herein, we report a facile and economical photoassisted strategy for synthesizing the highly active N, F-codoped oxygen-deficient TiO 2 with coexposed {001} and {101} facets. NH 4 TiOF 3 mesocrystals were used to act as the resource of dopants and the intermediate to fabricate TiO 2 with highly active {001} facets. Comprehensive analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electron spin resonances manifested that F, N and oxygen vacancies were simultaneously introduced to TiO 2 through the photoassisted process. The test of phenol and Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible light demonstrates that the as-prepared N, F codoped oxygen-deficient TiO 2 exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than its references. The increased photocatalytic performances results from the synergetic effect of the induced Vo’s and N, F codoping in TiO 2 with co-exposed {001} and {101} facets, favoring the visible light utilization as well as the separation of photogenerated carriers. This strategy is expected to provide a new insight into the design of high performance photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]