Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of Co2+-doped titania

Photocatalyst of Co2+-doped titania was simply prepared, and the photocatalytic activity was tested under UV irradiation for methyl orange degradation. The influence of doping quantity, calcination temperature, calcination time and quantity of catalyst was investigated for photocatalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst. The sample was characterized by UV diffuse reflectance spectra (UV/DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and IR. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity Co2+-doped TiO2 which calcined at 200 °C for 5 h is high, and which diameter is about 4–7 nm presents anatase phase. The sample absorption band of UV/DRS moves to visible region and reaches 580 nm. This kind of catalyst is also effective for degradation other organic dyes and beer wastewater.