Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of co-doped mesoporous TiO2 on Brij98/CTAB composite surfactant template

Using composite surfactant templates, polyoxyethylene (20) oleyl ether (Brij98) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), as structure-directing agents, N and La co-doped mesoporous TiO2 complex photocatalysts were synthesized successfully. The micromorphology of co-doped mesoporous TiO2 samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The results indicated that the complex photocatalyst prepared with a molar ratio of Brij98:CTAB=1:1 showed a uniform pore size of ca. 7 nm and a high specific surface area (SBET) of 279.0 m2 g−1, and exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of papermaking wastewater under ultra-violet light irradiation. The chemical oxygen demand (CODcr) percent degradation was about 73% in 12 h and chroma percent degradation was 100% in 8 h.