First-principles study of the electronic and optical properties of the (Y, N)-codoped anatase TiO₂ photocatalyst

First-principles plane-wave pseudopotential calculations are performed to study the geometrical structures, formation energies, and electronic and optical properties of Y-doped, N-doped, and (Y, N)-codoped TiO₂. The calculated results show that Y and N codoping leads to lattice distortion, easier separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and band gap narrowing. The optical absorption spectra indicate that an obvious red-shift occurs upon Y and N codoping, which enhances visible-light photocatalytic activity.