N-doped TiO2/carbon composites (TiO2/CN) with different nitrogen content,
were obtained starting from titanium isopropoxide and glucose, and by
varying the amount of melamine, added to starting reaction mixture. For
comparison, an undoped sample (TiO2/C) was also prepared. Structural and
surface characteristics were determined through scanning electron
microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray
diffraction, and nitrogen adsorptiondesorption isotherms. The photocatalytic
activity of TiO2/CN composites was examined via photocatalytic degradation
of methylene blue and multiclass pharmaceuticals from water solution. It was
found that N doping of TiO2 carbon composites induced changes in structural
and surface characteristics of TiO2/CN composites, improving their
adsorption, but decreasing photocatalytic efficiency. Nevertheless,
TiO2/CN0.05 composite obtained by the hydrothermal synthesis in the presence
of glucose and 0.05 g melamine showed the highest efficiency for removing
selected pharmaceuticals and methylene blue from aqueous solutions through
the combined processes of adsorption in the dark, and photocatalytic
degradation under UV and visible irradiation.