Carbonate-doped TiO2 was prepared via a hypoxic carbonization method.
A bidentate carboxylate linkage was formed between carbonate and TiO2 lattice.
The electron-withdrawing carboxylate ligands can remarkably narrow the bandgap.
Two possible mechanisms were elucidated based on the bidentate carboxylate linkage.
Carboxylate chelate carbonate-doped TiO2 shows high photodegradation activity.