Structural characterization of N-doped anatase–rutile mixed phase TiO2 nanorods assembled microspheres synthesized by simple sol–gel method

Abstract

In this study, N-doped anatase-rutile mixed phase TiO 2 nanorods assembled microspheres were synthesized via a direct and simple sol-gel method. The physical analysis via X-ray diffraction indicated that the prepared sample had a mixed phase of anatase and rutile TiO 2 . The morphology of the structure was observed with field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, which showed that the formation of TiO 2 microspheres was constructed by TiO 2 nanorods or rice like structure nanorods. Besides, Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed that the presence of N 2 O 2 2-and NO -species in the spectra while XPS study indicated the incorporation of nitrogen as dopant in TiO 2 at binding energies of 396.8, 397.5, 398.7, and 399.8 eV. Furthermore, the optical properties determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy concluded that the prepared sample exhibited excellent optical responses to UV and visible region as well as being a potential material for degradation of hazardous water pollutants. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO 2 exhibits excellent photodegradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light irradiation. Graphical AbstractKeywords N-doped TiO 2 nanorods Á Anatase/Rutile Á UV-visible irradiation Á Sol-gel preparation Á Structural characterization 1 Introduction

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