A template method for synthesis of porous Sn-doped TiO2 monolith and its enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract: Porous Sn-doped TiO2 monoliths were fabricated with polystyrene spheres as a template using a sol–gel method, and followed by calcination at high temperature. Sn doping can suppress the electron/hole recombination through facilitating charge rectification. And its porous structure can provide large surface areas, leading to more adsorption and fast transfer of pollutants. The Sn-doped TiO2 monoliths were characterized by XRD, SEM and BET measurements. In order to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of porous Sn-doped TiO2 monoliths, the photodegradation for methyl orange was performed under UV–vis irradiation. At the same conditions, porous Sn-doped TiO2 monoliths showed the better behavior of photodecomposition for organic compounds than Degussa P25. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]