Photocatalytic performance of Nd/TiO2 and Nb/TiO2 nanomaterials in the degradation of p‐cresol at room temperature.

BACKGROUND: The degradation of organic pollutants, such as p‐cresol, is a challenge for natural mechanisms, and semiconductors are useful as photocatalysts to restore water quality. This work investigated the effects of neodymium (Nd) and niobium (Nb) doping on the structural and photocatalytic properties of titania (TiO2) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. RESULTS: X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results displayed the formation of anatase, TiO2(B) and rutile phases on the Nd/TiO2 and Nb/TiO2 compounds. The Rietveld analysis estimated the composition of phases, as well as the crystal size for each crystalline phase in the samples (<43 nm). The crystal sizes and morphology of the powders were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X‐ray spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the presence of Nd and Nb dopants in the TiO2‐based photocatalysts. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms results revealed pore sizes between 5 and 11 nm, as well as surface area values up to ~81 m2 g−1. The diverse compounds showed excellent removal efficiency of p‐cresol under UV light (10–30% faster than commercial TiO2‐P25). CONCLUSIONS: This synthesis method favored the incorporation of Nd and Nb dopants in the TiO2 structure. Nd/TiO2 specimens showed higher photocatalytic response than Nb/TiO2 samples, possibly as a result of the synergic effects between phases [anatase and TiO2(B)], higher surface area values (≤ ~80.47 m2 g−1), as well as the nature of dopant. Photocatalysts with better photocatalytic performance demonstrated good degradation rate after 20 h. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]