Use of co-spray pyrolysis for synthesizing nitrogen-doped TiO2 films

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline TiO2 is well known as the most promising photocatalyst. Despite many years after discovery, seeking of efficient method to prepare TiO2 doped with nitrogen still attracts a lot of attention. In this paper, we present the result of using co-spray pyrolysis to synthesize nitrogen-doped TiO2 films from TiCl4 and NH4NO3. The grown films were subjected to XRD, SEM, photocatalysis, absorption spectra and visible-light photovoltaic investigations. All the deposited films were of nanosized polycrystal, high crystallinity, pure anatase and porosity. Specific characteristics involved nitrogen doping such as enhanced photocatalytic activity, bandgap narrowing, visible light responsibility and typical correlation of the photoactivity with nitrogen concentration were all exhibited. Obtained results proved that high photoactive nitrogen-doped TiO 2 films can be synthesized by co-spray pyrolysis. © Indian Academy of Sciences.