The Electronic Origin of the Visible-Light Absorption Properties of C-, N- and S-Doped TiO 2 Nanomaterials

The origin of the visible-light absorption of main-group element (C, N, S) doped TiO2 nanostructures is investigated via diffuse reflectance and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesized C-, N-, and S-doped titania nanomaterials show an increased electron density of states above the valence band of TiO2, which explains the red-shifted light absorption of these potential photocatalysts and simultaneously suggests a lowered potential as photooxidants compared to Degussa P25 TiO2.

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• DO
  Division of Chemistry