Preparation and characterization of sulfur-modified mesoporous titania photocatalyst

Sulfur-modified mesoporous titania (S-MTiO 2 ) was investigated as a potential photocatalyst under visible light. The photocatalyst was prepared by template method using thiourea and tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC 4 H 9 ) 4 ) as precursors and Pluronic P123 as template. The photoabsorbance of as-prepared photocatalyst was measured by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, which confirmed the extension of absorption into the visible region. The microstructure of S-MTiO 2 was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N 2 adsorption-desorption measurements. The micro crystal of the S-doped photocatalyst consisted of anatase phase and no significant influence on the nature of crystal formation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicated the presence of C in the prepared photocatalyst in addition to S. The photo-catalytic performance was studied by photodegradation methyl orange (MO) in water under visible light irradiation. The calcination temperature and the doping content influenced the photoactivity.