Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Performance of Lanthanides (Y, Ce) Doped TiO2 Nanosheets Films

Different lanthanides (Y, Ce) ions doped anatase TiO 2 nanosheets films with dominant high-reactivity {001} facets were synthesized on transparent conductive FTO substrates via a simple, one-step solvothermal method. In the present work, the amounts of HF and the doping ratios of rare earths were explored in detail. The crystal morphologies, structural features, binding information, optical absorption, and photocatalytic performances were investigated systematically. The optimal conditions of HF amount and rare earths doping ratios proved to be 2 mL and 1.0%, respectively. The results showed that the optimum lanthanides (Y, Ce) doped anatase TiO 2 nanosheets films displayed higher photocatalytic activities than pure TiO 2 films, and Y doped TiO 2 showed better photocatalytic activity than Ce doped TiO 2 . The possible mechanism of the photocatalysis can be mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of lanthanides doping and exposed high-reactively {001} facets.