Facile synthesis and photocatalytic disinfection of boron self-doped TiO2 nanosheets

In this study, a facile hydrothermal method was successfully developed to synthesize boron self-doped TiO2 nanosheets directly from TiB2 powders. XRD and TEM results suggested that the as-prepared TiO2 were pure anatase phase and showed a sheet morphology with reactive (001) facets. XPS analysis revealed the presence of boron as dopants by substituting oxygen atom in TiO2 nanosheets. The effect of HBF4 on TiO2 synthesis was also investigated. Photocatalytic disinfection experimental study implied that boron self-doped TiO2 exhibited better performance than P25 under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic effect was ascribed to the nanosheet morphology with reactive (001) facets and self-doping of boron in TiO2