Synthesis of visible-light responsive C, N and Ce co-doped TiO2 mesoporous membranes via weak alkaline sol–gel process

A visible-light responsive C, N and Ce co-doped TiO2 mesoporous membrane has been synthesized via a weakly alkaline sol–gel route using P123 template. The co-doping of C, N and Ce resulted in a lowered band gap of 2.14 eV which improved the photocatalytic activity in visible light. The Ce-dopant was found to strengthen the Ti–O bond that stabilized the anatase phase as well as the assembled interconnected mesoporous structure during high temperature calcination. The stabilization of the crystal phase and pore structure resulted in a higher surface area, smaller and more uniform pore size in the membrane. The membrane exhibited a low cut-off molecular weight of 3300 Da and a water flux of 4.05 L m−2 h−1 per bar.