The nitrogen-boron paramagnetic center in visible light sensitized N-B co-doped TiO2. Experimental and theoretical characterization

Nitrogen boron co-doped TiO2 prepared via sol-gel synthesis and active under visible light, contains two types of paramagnetic extrinsic defects, both exhibiting a well resolved EPR spectrum. The first center is the well characterized [NiO]̇ species (i = interstitial) also present in N-doped TiO2, while the second one involves both N and B. This latter center (labeled [NOB]̇) exhibits well resolved EPR spectra obtained using either 14N or 15N which show a high spin density in a N 2p orbital. The structure of the [NOB]̇ species is different from that previously proposed in the literature and is actually based on the presence of interstitial N and B atoms both bound to the same lattice oxygen ion. The interstitial B is also linked to two other lattice oxygen ions reproducing the trigonal planar structure typical of boron compounds. The energy level of the [NOB]̇ center lies near the edge of the valence band of TiO2 and, as such, does not contribute to the visible light absorption. However, [NOB]̇ can easily trap one electron generating the [NOB]- diamagnetic center which introduces a gap state at about 0.4 eV above the top of the valence band. This latter species can contribute to the visible light activity.