Low-temperature synthesis of regenerable TiO2−xNxnanocrystals in Nafion membrane and the promotive effect of Nafion in photocatalysis and N-doping

Abstract

Monodisperse TiO_2−xN_xnanocrystals were successfully synthesized in Nafion membrane at low temperature in a convenient way. Several characterization techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis absorption spectra and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are combined in order to determine the crystal phase, grain size, optical absorption, and state of the resultant oxynitride chemical bonding. The photocatalytic activity and stability of the homogeneously dispersed TiO_2−xN_xnanocrystals embedded in Nafion membrane were evaluated through a study of the decomposition of Methylene Blue under visible light irradiation. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO_2−xN_xnanocrystals can be enhanced efficiently by re-nitridation. Also, the form of Nafion, acidic or salt, affected photocatalytic activity.