Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Sol-Gel Derived Coral-like TiO۲ Nanostructured Thin Film

To enhance photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, coral-like TiO۲ nanostructured thin films were chemically synthesized through the sol-gel method. The fabricated thin films were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), nitrogen sorption isotherms, mercury porosimetry measurements, and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum (DRS). The coral-like TiO۲ structures were assembled from cashew-like nanoparticles, which were composed of numerous highly crystallized in anatase phase. The assembled materials possess a high specific surface area of ۱۶۷ m۲/g and mean pore size diameter of ۱۲.۳ nm. The coral-like TiO۲ nanostructured thin film shows a significantly higher photocatalytic activity than that of the commercial photocatalyst P۲۵-TiO۲ based film on the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Methyl Orange (MO). The high photocatalytic activity of film was ascribed to the large light absorption caused by small particle size, micro/meso, and macropore structures, and pore scattering, reduced band gap energy, and reduced recombination of electron-hole pairs. These findings open up a new approach for promising environmental applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Thin film ، Coral-like nanostructures ، Sol-gel coating ، Catalysis and surface analysis ، Photocatalytic degradation