Facile synthesis of visible light activated carbon-incorporated Mn doped TiO2 microspheres via flame thermal method

Abstract

Carbon-incorporated Mn doped TiO2 (C/Mn-TiO2) microspheres with different Mn contents were prepared by a facile and novel flame assisted approach. The influence of the Mn contents on the morphology and performance was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and Raman spectra, respectively. SEM and XRD results showed the existence of anatase TiO2 microspheres without post-heat treatment. XPS and Raman results confirmed Mn2+ substitution of Ti4+ in the resulted samples. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed that the incorporation of Mn into TiO2 lattice could enhance visible light absorption. Improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light illumination was demonstrated with the introduction of Mn dopant. The introduction of Mn resulted in the narrowed band gap in C/Mn-TiO2. This study offers not only an environmentally friendly product with high photocatalytic activity, but also a rapid and direct strategy without any particular skill.