Enhanced H-2 Production Activity Under Solar Irradiation Over N-Doped Tio2 Prepared Using Pyridine As A Precursor: A Typical Sample Of N-Doped Tio2 Series

A series of N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts are synthesized by simple hydrolysis method using titanium isopropoxide and pyridine precursors. XRD studies of all the catalysts are showing the diffraction patterns corresponding to a single anatase phase. HRTEM results are depicting that the catalysts are of nano size and in the range of 3-5 nm. UV-Vis DRS of N-doped TiO2 catalysts are clearly showing an enhanced absorption in the visible light region, and the band gap energy values of the catalysts are seen decreasing with increasing nitrogen content. The formation of oxynitride linkages is evidenced by the FTIR results. Further the XPS analysis confirms the presence of Ti-O-N linkage, and the binding energy values indicate that the doped nitrogen is either interstitial or chemisorbed. The photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 catalysts is evaluated for hydrogen production in methanol: water mixture under solar light irradiation and 0.5 wt% N-doped TiO2 has shown a stable and high activity, 3500 mu moles/h/g.cat. The enhanced hydrogen production activity of N-doped TiO2 catalysts is attributed to the high surface area of the catalysts containing doped nitrogen mostly at the interstitial positions and enhanced visible light absorption.