Preparation and photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO₂ nanotube array films

The N-doped TiO₂ nanotube array films were fabricated directly by one-step electrochemical anodic oxidation of Ti foils in an HF electrolyte containing ammonium and nitrate ions. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The results showed that N dopant was successfully introduced into the TiO₂ nanotube array films. The N-doped TiO₂ nanotube array films showed a red shift and an enhancement of the absorption in the visible light region compared to the undoped sample. The photocatalytic activities of the N-doped TiO₂ samples were much higher than those of the undoped sample. A maximum enhancement of photocatalytic activity was achieved for the N-doped TiO₂ sample prepared in 0.07 M HF electrolyte containing 1.0 M NH₄NO₃, and 81% of MO was degraded in 150 min under visible light irradiation.