Direct synthesis of Nd3+ doped mesoporous TiO2 and investigation of its photocatalytic performance

Nd3+ doped mesoporous TiO2 samples with different molar ratio of Nd/Ti were synthesized by a sol–gel method. The textural and optical properties of the samples were systematical characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Visible absorbance spectroscopy. It was revealed that Nd3+ doping inhibited the phase transformation from anatase to rutile after calcination, and the mesoporous structure of doped samples was still retained with the increase of Nd/Ti molar ratio. The surface area of the samples varied from 137 to 210 m2g−1 and the average pore size of them ranged between 5.7 and 8.2 nm. The photocatalytic activities of all the samples were evaluated by degradation methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution as a model reaction under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the doped samples demonstrated a higher photocatalytic activity than the mesoporous TiO2, and the 3 mol% Nd3+ doped mesoporous TiO2 exhibited the best photocatalytic performance. Meanwhile, a promotion effect of the H2O2 added was verified in the degradation of MO.