M-Doped TiO2 and TiO2-MxOy Mixed Oxides (M = V, Bi, W) by Reactive Mineralization of Cellulose - Evaluation of Their Photocatalytic Activity

M‐doped TiO2 and mixed oxides MxOy–TiO2 (M = V, Bi, W) were synthesized by the reactive mineralization of ash‐free filter paper under anhydrous conditions. Mixtures of metal chlorides (TiCl4 with VOCl3, WCl6, or BiCl3) were reacted directly with cellulose, and three different Ti/M atomic ratios were used (99, 19, and 9). The resulting materials consist of original nanoflower assemblies of needle‐shaped primary particles. Their physicochemical characteristics were investigated by various techniques (X‐ray diffraction, diffuse‐reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis). The incorporation of the doping metal or the formation of mixture of oxides with TiO2 (WO3, Bi2O3) depends on the metal and the proportions used. The photocatalytic activities of the materials were tested for the degradation of phenol. The vanadium‐doped materials exhibit true solid‐solution formation and their band gaps shift into the visible range. M‐doped TiO2 and mixed oxides MxOy–TiO2 (M = V, Bi, W) are synthesized by the reactions of ash‐free filter paper with mixtures of metal chlorides (TiCl4 + 1–10 % VOCl3, WCl6, or BiCl3). The resulting materials have nanoflowers of needle‐shaped primary particles and are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, diffuse‐reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis.