Visible-light-activated Ce–Si co-doped TiO2 photocatalyst

To enhance the visible photocatalytic activity and thermal stability of TiO2, Ce–Si co-doped TiO2 materials were synthesized through a nonaqueous method of which the purpose was to reduce the aggregation between TiO2 particles. The obtained materials maintained anatase phase and large surface area of 103.3 m2 g−1 even after calcined at 800 °C. The XPS results also indicated that Si was weaved into the lattice of TiO2, and Ce mainly existed as oxides on the surface of TiO2 particles. The doped Si might enhance surface area and suppress transformation from anatase to rutile, while the doped Ce might cause visible absorption and inhibit crystallite growth during heat treatment. Evaluated by decomposing dye Rhodamine B, visible photocatalytic activity of Ce–Si co-doped TiO2 was obviously higher than that of pure TiO2 and reached the maximum at Ce and Si contents of 0.5 mol% and 10 mol%.