Photocatalytic performance of Nd/TiO2 and Nb/TiO2 nanomaterials in the degradation of p‐cresol at room temperature

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The degradation of organic pollutants, such as, p‐cresol, is a challenge for natural mechanisms, so the use of semiconductors as photocatalysts are useful to restore water quality. In this work, the effects of Nd and Nb doping on the structural and photocatalytic properties of TiO 2 under UV irradiation were investigated. RESULTS XRD results displayed the formation of anatase, TiO 2 (B) and rutile phases on the Nd/TiO 2 and Nb/TiO 2 compounds. The Rietveld analysis estimated the composition of phases, as well as the crystal size for each crystalline phase in the samples (< 43 nm). The crystal sizes and morphology of the powders were observed in the TEM and SEM micrographs. EDS and XPS analysis confirmed the presence of Nd and Nb dopants in the TiO 2 ‐based photocatalysts. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms results revealed pore sizes between 5‐ 11 nm, as well as surface area values up to ~ 81 m 2 /g. The diverse compounds showed excellent removal efficiency of p‐cresol under UV‐light (between 10 to 30% faster than commercial TiO 2 ‐P25) CONCLUSIONS The synthesis method favored the incorporation of the Nd and Nb dopants in the TiO 2 structure. Nd/TiO 2 specimens showed higher photocatalytic response than Nb/TiO 2 samples, possibly, to the synergic effects between phases (anatase and TiO 2 (B)), higher surface area values (up to ~80.47 m 2 /g), as well as the nature of dopant. The photocatalysts with better photocatalytic performance demonstrated good degradation rate after 20h. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.