Fabrication of C-Doped TiO₂ Nanosphere for BTEX Degradation of Paint Thinners with Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

Carbon (C)-doped TiO2 nanospheres were produced using a solvothermal method, and then characterised with transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction pattern and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The C was doped into the TiO2 nanosphere as planned, and the photocatalytic oxidations were studied in environmental chambers under simulative conditions. C-doped TiO2 nanospheres' photocatalytic performance was evaluated by removing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) of paint thinners via the illumination of visible light. A degradation ratio of 93.4% in 90 min exhibited high photocatalytic activity.