Preparation and characterization of monodisperse Ce-doped TiO2 microspheres with visible light photocatalytic activity

Monodisperse Ce-doped TiO2 microspheres with visible light photocatalytic activity were prepared by a facile solvothermal process using urea as a hydrolysis inhibitor, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV–vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the resulting Ce-doped TiO2 microspheres was evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the doping content of Ce and amount of urea used in the starting reaction medium could affect the surface texture and dimension of Ce-doped TiO2 microsphere, respectively. All the Ce-doped TiO2 microsphere samples showed higher photocatalytic activity than undoped TiO2. Sample containing 1 at% Ce exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity among the Ce-doped TiO2 microsphere samples. With ease of recovery from treated water as well as fine durability, the as-synthesized Ce-doped TiO2 microspheres might hold potential for application in wastewater treatment.