Bezerra, Paula C. S.Cavalcante, Rodrigo P.Garcia, AlineWender, HebertonMartines, Marco A. U.Casagrande, Gleison A.Giménez Farreras, JaumeMarco Buj, PilarOliveira, Silvio César deMachulek Jr., Amílcar2018-02-202018-02-2020170103-5053https://hdl.handle.net/2445/120031This article reports the synthesis and characterization of pure and N-, B-, and Ag-doped TiO2 and the ability of these oxides to photodegrade methylene blue (MB) under sunlight or UV-ABC radiation. The compounds were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photocatalytic efficiency was significantly increased by N-doping, resulting in 98% MB decomposition under UV-ABC irradiation for 180 min. Ag- and B-doped TiO2 lowered MB degradation rates to 52 and 73%, respectively, compared with pure TiO2. The same behavior was observed with exposure to UV-Vis, with 88, 65, 60, and 42% MB removal with N-doped, pure, B-doped, and Ag-doped TiO2, respectively. Under visible light alone, N-doped TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiency than commercial P25-type TiO2. Photocatalysis with N-doped TiO2 proved to be a promising alternative for MB degradation, given the potential of employing solar energy, thus minimizing operating costs.15 p.application/pdfengcc-by (c) Sociedade Brasileira de Química, 2017http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/esCatalitzadorsRadiació ultravioladaCatalystsUltraviolet radiationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article6687552018-02-20info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess