Preparation of sulfur-doped TiO₂/Ti photoelectrodes and photoelectrocatalysis under visible light

To improve the photoelectrocatalytic activity of TiO₂/Ti photoelectrode under visible light, a novel sulfur-doped TiO₂/Ti photoelectrode was prepared by anodization. The surface morphology, crystal, particle size, amount of sulfur, valence state of sulfur and optical characteristics of sulfur-doped TiO₂/Ti photoelectrode were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV/VIS diffuse reflection spectra. Results indicate that sulfur-doped TiO₂/Ti photoelectrode shows a good photoelectrocatalytic activity on the removal and mineralization of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) under visible light irradiation when the prepared conditions are voltage of 160 V, current density of 100 mA/cm² and sulfur concentration of 750 mg/L. The doped sulfur can significantly improve the photoelectrocatalytic activity of TiO₂/Ti photoelectrode under visible light.