Photocatalytic performance of Sn-doped TiO2 nanostructured mono and double layer thin films for Malachite Green dye degradation under UV and vis-lights

Nanostructure Sn(4+)-doped TiO(2) based mono and double layer thin films, contain 50% solid ratio of TiO(2) in coating have been prepared on glass surfaces by spin-coating technique. Their photocatalytic performances were tested for degradation of Malachite Green dye in solution under UV and vis irradiation. Sn(4+)-doped nano-TiO(2) particle a doping ratio of about 5[Sn(4+)/Ti(OBu(n))(4); mol/mol%] has been synthesized by hydrotermal process at 225 degrees C. The structure, surface and optical properties of the thin films and/or the particles have been investigated by XRD, BET and UV/vis/NIR techniques. The results showed that the double layer coated glass surfaces have a very high photocatalytic performance than the other one under UV and vis lights. The results also proved that the hydrothermally synthesized nano-TiO(2) particles are fully anatase crystalline form and are easily dispersed in water. The results also reveal that the coated surfaces have hydrophilic property.     

Photocatalytic performance of Sn-doped TiO2 nanostructured thin films for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye under UV and VIS-lights

Sn-doped and undoped nano-TiO₂ particles have been synthesized by hydrotermal process without acid catalyst at 225 °C in 1 h. Nanostructure-TiO₂ based thin films, contain at different solid ratio of TiO₂ in coating, have been prepared on glass surfaces by spin-coating technique. The structure, surface morphology and optical properties of the thin films and the particles have been investigated by element analysis and XRD, BET and UV/VIS/NIR techniques. The photocatalytic performance of the films was tested for degradation of malachite green dye in solution under UV and VIS-lights. The results showed that the hydrothermally synthesized nano-TiO₂ particles are fully anatase crystalline form and are easily dispersed in water, the coated surfaces have nearly super-hydrophilic properties and, the doping of transition metal ion efficiently improved the photocatalytic performance of the TiO₂ thin film. The results also proved that malachite green is decomposed catalytically due to the pseudo first-order reaction kinetics.     

Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde by nanostructured TiO2 composite films

Interest in the photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde from contaminated wastewater is growing rapidly. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocrystalline Fe³⁺/F^? co-doped TiO₂–SiO₂ composite film for the degradation of formaldehyde solution under visible light was discussed in this study. The films were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The FE-SEM results revealed that the Fe³⁺/F^? co-doped TiO₂–SiO₂ film was composed of uniform round-like nanoparticles or aggregates with the size range of 5–10 nm. The XRD results indicated that only the anatase phase was observed in the film. Compared with a pure TiO₂ film and a singly modified TiO₂ film, the Fe³⁺/F^? co-doped TiO₂–SiO₂ composite film showed the best photocatalytic properties due to its strong visible light adsorption and diminished electrons-holes recombination.     

用于紫外光电导探测器的TiO2薄膜研究

采用直流反应磁控溅射的方法,制备了TiO2薄膜。用X射线衍射,原子力显微镜(AFM)和紫外-可见光分光光度计分别测试了TiO2薄膜的晶体结构、表面形貌及其紫外-可见光吸收谱,采用C／TiO2／ITO三层结构制备了TiO2光电导型紫外探测器,研究了它的光响应。初步实验结果表明：TiO2薄膜在4W的紫光灯辐射下,光电流可达2．1mA,10min的辐射时间内,光电流基本保持稳定,可见TiO2薄膜对紫外光有较高的灵敏度和稳定性,可作为一种良好的紫外光探测材料。     

Characterization of nitrogen-implanted TiO2 nanostructured films

Nanostructured tanium dioxide (TiO₂) films were implanted with N⁺ at 40 keV and ion dose range of 10¹⁶/cm² to 4 × 10¹⁶/cm², and annealed at temperatures between 673 and 973 K. From XRD and TEM analyses it was found that the anatase phase of TiO₂ remained stable up to annealing temperature of 973 K. The samples showed narrower XRD peaks corresponding to larger mean-grain sizes comparing to the un-implanted TiO₂ samples. The SIMS depth profile showed a peak of nitrogen concentration at about 60 nm beneath the film surface and this was confirmed using the SRIM-2003 program for simulating ion beam interactions with matter. The absorption spectra of the films as measured using spectrophotometer were found to shift toward longer wavelengths with the increase of ion dose.     

FeS2/TiO2复合薄膜光电性能

采用溶液浸渍法在ITO导电玻璃表面的多孔TiO2薄膜上沉积了FeS2薄膜.使用Fe2O3粉末保护裸露在外的ITO导电膜在硫气氛中热处理后,制得了FeS2/TiO2复合薄膜.应用B531/H数显测厚指示表、数字式四探针测试仪、XJCM-8太阳电池测试仪等研究了FeS2/TiO2复合薄膜的厚度、ITO导电玻璃的电阻率以及FeS2/TiO2复合薄膜的光电性能.结果表明：此方法制得的FeS2/TiO2复合薄膜具有良好的光电性能;且ITO导电膜的电阻率变化较小.因而适宜制备色素增感太阳能电池（DSSC）.     

Photocatalytic antibacterial performance of Sn(4+)-doped TiO(2) thin films on glass substrate

Pure anatase, nanosized and Sn(4+) ion doped titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particulates (TiO(2)-Sn(4+)) were synthesized by hydrothermal process. TiO(2)-Sn(4+) was used to coat glass surfaces to investigate the photocatalytic antibacterial effect of Sn(4+) doping to TiO(2) against gram negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Relationship between solid ratio of TiO(2)-Sn(4+) in coatings and antibacterial activity was reported. The particulates and the films were characterized using particle size analyzer, zeta potential analyzer, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), SEM, AAS and UV/VIS/NIR techniques. The results showed that TiO(2)-Sn(4+) is fully anatase crystalline form and easily dispersed in water. Increasing the solid ratio of TiO(2)-Sn(4+) from 10 to 50% in the coating solution increased antibacterial effect.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylorange Using TiO2, WO3 and mixed thin films under controlled pH and H2O2

Wastewaters resulting from textile industry sector have a different chemistry compared with most of the other wastewaters. The different dyes in excess are usually very stable and even small quantities can have a major impact to the effluent. In order to treat these wastewaters, photodegradation is a largely investigated process that can be up-scaled. Photocatalysts based on wide band gap semiconductors can be used in heterogeneous photocatalysis and mostly reported are TiO2 and WO3. Under UV irradiation they form electron-hole pairs that produce active species that can oxidize the dye molecules. The electron-hole recombination represents the main cause for low efficiencies and is limited by the use of oxidant systems like H2O2. Doctor blade technique, a reproducible, up-scalable and low cost technique was used to obtain thin films. The reference dye, used in this experiment is methylorange in solution of 0.0125 mM, corresponding to average polluted water. In order to reduce the recombination in the catalysts, H2O2 is used. Another important aspect of the dye photocatalysis process, investigated in the paper is the adsorption of the dye molecule on the photocatalyst surface, strongly depending on pH which affects the dye's structure and the surface charge. Experiments are conducted at fixed pH values: 3, and respectively 7 covering values below and over the ZPC of the photocatalysts. The results show that TiO2/WO3 films have higher efficiency then the TiO2 and WO3 films, mainly due to the surface morphology of the films. By adding H2O2, higher efficiencies are obtained, confirming that the electron-hole pair recombination is reduced. From the point of view of pH, higher efficiencies are obtained in acidic solutions and the results are comparatively discussed considering the dye's ionic/neutral structure and the photocatalyst surface charge. The efficiency was calculated using UV-VIS spectrophotometer measurements of the solution and the thin films were characterized by AFM and XRD.     

Investigation of optical,structural and morphological properties of nanostructured boron doped TiO 2 thin films

Pure and different ratios (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10%) of boron doped TiO₂ thin films were grown on the glass substrate by using sol–gel dip coating method having some benefits such as basic and easy applicability compared to other thin film production methods. To investigate the effect of boron doped on the physical properties of TiO₂, structural, morphological and optical properties of growth thin films were examined. 1% boron-doping has no effect on optical properties of TiO₂ thin film; however, optical properties vary with > 1%. From X-ray diffraction spectra, it is seen that TiO₂ thin films together with doping of boron were formed along with TiB₂ hexagonal structure having (111) orientation, B₂O₃ cubic structure having (310) orientation, TiB_0·024O ₂ tetragonal structure having rutile phase (110) orientation and polycrystalline structures. From SEM images, it is seen that particles together with doping of boron have homogeneously distributed and held onto surface.     

Third-generation biosensors based on TiO2 nanostructured films

The functionalisation of solid electrodes with thin films of biocompatible materials revealed very attractive for the development of biosensors on miniaturized platforms, since this configuration could provide a rapid translation of the biological processes occurring on the surface to electronic outputs. In this study, the realization of functionalised TiO₂ thin films on Si substrates for the immobilization of several enzymes and biological molecules is reported. Deposition parameters were found to affect the chemical and microstructural features of the films, which influenced the protein immobilization. Glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase immobilized onto TiO₂-based nanostructured surfaces exhibited a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible voltammetric peaks. The electron exchange between the enzyme and the electrodes was greatly enhanced in the TiO₂ nanostructured environment. The electrocatalytic activity of HRP and GOD embedded in TiO₂ electrodes toward H₂O₂ and glucose, respectively, may have a potential perspective in the fabrication of third-generation biosensors based on direct electrochemistry of enzymes.     

锐钛矿型银掺杂二氧化钛紫外光及模拟太阳光光催化性能

以钛酸丁酯、硝酸银为原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备不同浓度Ag掺杂TiO2光催化剂。分别采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、光电子能谱(XPS)、紫外可见漫反射(DRS)及荧光光谱(PL)等测试方法对样品晶体结构、表面形貌、化学成分和光学性质进行表征。以罗丹明B溶液(RhB)为目标降解物,分别采用汞灯与氙灯为光源,研究xAg-TiO2(x=1%,2%,4%,6%,原子分数)光催化剂在紫外光和模拟太阳光照射下的光催化活性。结果表明:Ag的加入降低了光生电子空穴的复合率,增加了对模拟太阳光的吸收,紫外光以及模拟太阳光的光催化活性均得到提升。1%Ag-TiO2表现出最好的光催化活性,在紫外光及模拟太阳光下对RhB的降解率分别为91%与89%,是纯TiO2的1.18倍和1.24倍,反应速率常数k分别为0.01257 min^-1和0.01150 min^-1,是纯TiO2的1.49倍和1.74倍。     

Photocatalytic TiO2 films deposited by different methods

Photocatalytic TiO₂ layers are deposited with different methods available within the Fraunhofer Photocatalysis Alliance. These are: Magnetron sputtering, evaporation, sol‐gel, laquer coating, and CVD. The photocatalytic activity under UV illumination is determined by decomposition of stearic acid. The optical properties of the films are compared and discussed.     

Morphological characterization of TiO2 thin films

Films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering always present some structural and morphological heterogeneities.In this work, optical parameters, n(λ), k(λ) and E₀, of TiO₂ thin films were obtained, using only optical transmittance measurements. Films were described according to Abèles's model. Using a mono-oscillator type dispersion curve for the refractive index and a Lorentzian type curve for the absorption coefficient, we were able to demonstrate that the films were optically equivalent to a porous layer, with some dispersion in film thickness.The detailed analysis of the experimental transmittance data, fitted between 330 nm to 2200 nm, also enabled us to correlate the effective refractive index of each film with its deposition conditions.     

Material properties and growth control of undoped and Sn-doped In2O3 thin films prepared by using ion beam technologies

Undoped (IO) and Sn-doped In₂O₃ (ITO) films have been deposited on glass and polymer substrates by an advanced ion beam technologies including ion-assisted deposition (IAD), hybrid ion beam, ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD), and ion-assisted reaction (IAR). Physical and chemical properties of the oxide films and adhesion between films and substrates were improved significantly by these technologies. By using the IAD method, non-stoichiometry and microstructure of the films were controlled by changing assisted oxygen ion energy and arrival ratio of assisted oxygen ion to evaporated atoms. Relationships between structural and electrical properties in ITO films on glass substrates were intensively investigated by using the IBSD method with changing ion energy, reactive gas environment, and substrate temperature. Smooth-surface ITO films (R_rms ≤ 1 nm and R_p-v ≤ 10 nm) for organic light-emitting diodes were developed with a combination of deposition conditions with controlling microstructure of a seed layer on glass. IAR surface treatment enormously enhanced the adhesion of oxide films to polymer substrate. The different dependence of IO and ITO films' properties on the experimental parameters, such as ion energy and oxygen gas environment, will be intensively discussed.     

射频磁控溅射制备TiO2-xNx薄膜及其光催化特性研究

利用射频磁控溅射在玻璃衬底上制备了透明TiO2 和 TiO2-x Nx 薄膜样品,通过 X 射线衍射(XRD)、原子力显微镜(AFM)及 UV Vis分光光度计等测试手段表征了样品的结构、形貌和光催化性能。结果表明制备的薄膜为锐钛矿相结构。随着 N2/Ar气流比的增大薄膜样品出现新的物相,吸收光谱向可见光方向展宽,在N2/Ar流量比为 3∶100 时,制备的薄膜在可见光区具有很好的光催化性能。     

UV absorption studies of undoped and fluorine-doped tin oxide films

Tin oxide films undoped and doped with fluorine are prepared by a chemical vapour deposition technique involving the oxidation of SnCl₂. For fluorine doping a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and deionized water is used. The optical properties of these films are investigated in the UV region (225–350 nm). It is observed that for an undoped tin oxide the absorption edge lies at 3.71 eV. It is also observed that for fluorine-doped tin oxide films the absorption edge shifts towards higher energies, which is related to the Moss-Burstein shift. In the case of fluorine-doped tin oxide films, depending on the fluorine concentration, the absorption edge lies in the range 3.89–4.07 eV. Undoped and fluorine-doped tin oxide films show a direct transition at 4.03 eV and in the range 4.17–4.29 eV respectively, whereas the indirect transition for undoped and fluorine-doped tin oxide films occurs at 3.35 eV and in the range 3.55–3.67 eV respectively.     

Low-temperature processing of thin films based on rutile TiO2 nanoparticles for UV photocatalysis and bacteria inactivation

Using a low-temperature, simple, and economic processing technique, TiO₂ nanoparticles (rutile phase) are immobilized in an inorganic matrix and then deposited on glass for bacteria inactivation in water. Using this low thermal budget method (maximum processing temperature of 220 °C), thin films of immobilized TiO₂ nanoparticles are obtained so that practical water decontamination after UV radiation is possible by avoiding the additional step of catalyst separation from treated water. In order to validate the photocatalytic activities of these TiO₂ nanoparticles (prepared as thin films), they were tested for bacteria inactivation in water under UV–A radiation (λ > 365 nm), while extensive characterizations by dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, ultra violet–visible absorption spectroscopy, fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy, and profilometry were also carried out. Despite previous reports on the low or lack of photocatalytic activity of rutile-phase TiO₂, inactivation of Escherichia coli in water was observed when thin films of this material were used when compared with the application of UV radiation alone. Physical characterization of the films suggests that size and concentration-related effects may allow the existence of photocatalytic activity for rutile-TiO₂ as long as they are exposed under UV–A radiation, whereas no effect on bacteria inactivation was observed for thin films in the absence of TiO₂ or radiation. In brief, a low thermal budget process applied to thin films based on TiO₂ nanoparticles has shown to be useful for bacteria inactivation, while possible application of these films on widely available substrates like polyethylene terephthalate materials is expected.     

Photoelectrochemical properties of plasma-deposited TiO2 thin films

Photoanodes were fabricated from TiO₂ films deposited onto titanium substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The photocurrent-wavelength and photocurrent-voltage properties of the anodes were determined and compared with those of thermally grown TiO₂ photoanodes. The plasma-deposited photoanodes displayed quantum efficiencies higher than those for the thermally grown films and comparable with those reported for single-crystal rutile. The microstructure of the plasma-deposited films appeared to be primarily responsible for the high quantum efficiencies.