Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-doped titania nanomaterials of homogeneous particle size

Abstract

Modification of sol-gel method was used to synthesize homogeneous particle size nitrogen-doped titania (N-TiO₂) nanomaterials using tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) as N source. XRD analysis showed that these N-TiO₂ (1-5 % N concentration) crystallined in anatase structure. The crystallinity of the samples decreased with increasing of N content. The calculation using Scherrer equation showed that the particle size of the synthesized N-TiO₂ ranged 15.02 - 26.85 nm, strongly suggesting attainment of nanomaterials. DR UV-Vis results indicated that the band gap energy of 5% N doped TiO₂ was only 2.58 eV, implying the sample could be a potential photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.  Homogeneous particle size of the synthesized nanomaterials was evidenced through FESEM images. Meanwhile, the EDX analysis confirmed the homogenous distribution of elements Ti, N and O in 5% N doped titania sample.