Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on Fe3+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation

Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ composite nanoparticles with different doping amounts were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. The influence of doping amount of Fe³⁺ (ω: 0.00%–3.00%) on photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ was investigated. Results show that the size of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ particles decreases with the increase of the amount of Fe³⁺ and their absorption spectra are broaden and absorption intensities are also increased. Doping Fe³⁺ can control the conversion of TiO₂ from anatase to rutile. The doping amount of Fe³⁺ remarkably affects the activity of the catalyst, and the optimum efficiency occurs at about the doping amount of 0.3%. The appropriate doping of Fe³⁺ can markedly increase the catalytic activity of TiO₂ under visible light irradiation. __________ Translated from Journal of Northwest Normal University (Natural Science), 2006, 42(6): 55–56 [译自: 西北师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Preparation of diatomite–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite for photodegradation of bisphenol-A in water

To enhance the photodegradation performance of pure titanium dioxide (TiO₂), diatomite was used as a porous carrier to immobilize TiO₂ powders using calcination method. The photodegradation of bisphenol-A (BPA; 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol), which has been listed as one of endocrine disrupting chemicals, was carried out in a batch suspension reactor using pure TiO₂ powders and diatomite–TiO₂ composites, respectively. Under the controlled conditions, the photocatalytic efficiencies of the BPA degradation by the diatomite–TiO₂ composites can be found to be higher than those by pure TiO₂ powders. This result should be attributable to the accessibility of the BPA molecules to the surface of TiO₂ particle in the modified photocatalysts, showing that the enrichment of the organic solute enhanced the rate of photodegradation on the diatomite–TiO₂ composite. However, the photodegradation efficiency was not dependent on the pore properties of these TiO₂ photocatalysts. The experimental results further indicated that the photodegradation kinetics for the destruction of BPA in water followed the first-order model well. The apparent first-order reaction constants (k _obs), thus obtained from the fittings of the model, were in line with the destruction-removal efficiencies of BPA in all the photocatalytic experiments.     

Formation of different products during photo-catalytic reaction on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> suspension in water with and without 2-propanol under diverse ambient conditions

Studies on photo-catalytic reduction of CO₂ using TiO₂ photo-catalyst (0.1%, w/v) as a suspension in water was carried out at 350 nm light. CO₂ from both commercially available source, as well as generated in situ through 2-propanol oxidation, was used for this study. The photolytic products such as hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO) andmethane (CH₄) generated were monitored in TiO₂ suspended aqueous solution with and without a hole scavenger, viz., 2-propanol. Similar photolytic experiments were also carried out with varying ambient such as air, O₂, N₂ and N₂O. The yields of CO and CH₄ in all these systems under the present experimental conditions were found to be increasing with light exposure time. H₂ yield in N₂-purged systems containing 2-propanol was found to be more as compared to the without 2-propanol system. The rate of H₂ production in N₂-purged aqueous solutions containing 0.1% TiO₂ suspension were evaluated to be 0.226 and 5.8 μl/h, without and with 0.5 M 2-propanol, respectively. This confirmed that 2-propanol was an efficient hole scavenger and it scavenged photo-generated holes (h⁺), allowing its counter ion, viz., e⁻, to react with water molecule/H⁺ to yield more H₂. The formation of both CO and CH₄ in the photolysis of CO₂-purged aqueous solutions containing suspended TiO₂ in absence of 2-propanol reveal that the generation of CH₄ is taking place mainly through CO intermediate. In presence of air/O₂, the yield of H₂ in the system without 2-propanol was observed to be negligible as compared to the system containing 2-propanol in which low yield of H₂ was obtained with a formation rate of approx. 0.5 μl/h.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline Fe-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders as a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst

Nanocrystalline Fe-doped TiO₂ powders were prepared using TiOSO₄, urea, and Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O as precursors through a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized yellowish-colored powders are composed of anatase TiO₂, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The grain size ranged from 9.7 to 12.1 nm, calculated by Scherrer’s method. The specific surface area ranged from 141 to 170 m²/g, obtained by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph of the sample shows that the diameter of the grains is uniformly distributed at about 10 nm, which is consistent with that calculated by Scherrer’s method. Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ have been detected on the surface of TiO₂ powders by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectra indicate that the light absorption thresholds of the Fe-doped TiO₂ powders have been red-shifted into the visible light region. The photocatalytic activity of the Fe-doped TiO₂ was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The Fe-doped TiO₂ powders have shown good visible-light photocatalytic activities and the maximum degradation ratio is achieved within 4.5 h.     

Structure and properties of polymer modified TiO2 pillared montmorillonite

With the aim of improving the microstructures and properties of TiO₂ pillared montmorillonite (MMT), a long-chain polymer (polyoxypropylenediamine, PPO-D 2000) was used as a template to synthesize composite pillared MMT. The materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer, Fourier Raman (FT-Raman) spectrophotometer, thermo-gravimeter/differential thermogravimeter (TG/DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) methods. The results show that as compared to low-molecular weight surfactant, this polymer significantly expanded the interlayer spacing and thus more TiO₂ could be intercalated into MMT. The specific surface area of polymer/TiO₂ pillared MMT was increased by 13% with comparison to TiO₂ pillared MMT and rose to 241.52 m²/g. Both the pore diameter and volume are doubled, and thus the pore structure is optimized markedly. The investigation on the photo-catalytic degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution show that the modulation of polymer molecules raise the adsorption content of montmorillonite and improve the photo-catalytic activity. Therefore, this process provides a novel alternative to design and prepare the advanced eco-catalytic materials with high adsorption capacity and photo-catalytic activity. __________ Translated from Huaxue Tongbao, 2007, 12: 936–941 [译自: 化学通报]     

Influence of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the photocatalytic activity of P-25 TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the degradation of methyl orange

Influences of α-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, and δ-MnO₂ on the photocatalytic activity of Degussa P-25 TiO₂ have been investigated through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The TiO₂ photocatalyst, before and after being contaminated by MnO₂, was characterized by UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ could be inhibited significantly or completely deactivated due to the presence of even a small amount of MnO₂ particles. It was found that the poisoning effect varied with the crystal phases of MnO₂ and the effect was in the order δ-MnO₂ >α-MnO₂ >β-MnO₂. The poisoning effect was attributed to the formation of heterojunctions between MnO₂ and TiO₂ particles. The heterojunctions changed the chemical state of Ti⁴⁺ and O²⁻ sites in the crystalline phase of TiO₂. MnO₂ in contact with TiO₂ particles also broadens the band-gap of TiO₂, which decreases UV absorption of TiO₂. It can also create some deep impurity energy levels serving as photoelectron-photohole recombination center, which accelerates the electron-hole recombination. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20477009) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. E2005000183)     

过硫酸盐激活协同可见光催化降解四环素的机理和降解路径

为了提升微污染水体中抗生素的降解效率,利用过硫酸钠(PDS)激活协同手性介孔TiO₂可见光催化(PDS/vis-TiO₂)对四环素(TC)进行降解。详细对比研究了以手性TiO₂作为催化剂的PDS激活(PDS/TiO₂)、可见光催化(vis-TiO₂)和PDS/vis-TiO₂三种体系中,降解污染物的活性物种和污染物降解路径等的差异。结果表明,不对称的螺旋堆积结构在手性介孔TiO₂中引入了丰富的Ti³⁺,不仅提升了其可见光响应,同时能够激活PDS生成自由基。PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中光生空穴h⁺和·OH等多种自由基可以同时参与TC的降解,5 h内其对TC去除率可达到95%以上,远超PDS/TiO₂体系(TC去除率为48.9%)和vis-TiO₂体系(TC去除率为71.1%)。PDS加入到光催化体系中,会受到光生电子的激活而产生自由基,从而消耗光生电子,提升光生空穴和电子的分离率,达到协同增强污染物的降解能力。另外PDS激活后产生自由基也会大大增加体系对TC的降解性能。密度泛函理论计算和中间产物分析结果表明,TC在PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中的降解路径包含了光生空穴h⁺攻击TC的降解路径,同时也包括自由基攻击TC的降解路径。     

Effect of PEG with different <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>W</Subscript> as template direction reagent on preparation of porous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> with assistance of supercritical CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Titania–silica composite have been prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weights (M _w), PEG20000, PEG10000, and PEG2000, as template in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO₂). The composite precursors were dissolved in SC CO₂ and impregnated into PEG templates using SC CO₂ as swelling agent and carrier. After removing the template by calcination at suitable temperature, the titania–silica composite were obtained. The composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen sorption–desorption experiment. Photocatalytic activity of the samples has been investigated by photodegradation of methyl orange. Results indicate that there are many Si–O–Ti linkages in the TiO₂/SiO₂ composite; the PEG template has a significant influence on the structure of TiO₂/SiO₂. In addition, the TiO₂/SiO₂ prepared with PEG10000 exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency. So this work supplies a clue to control and obtain the TiO₂/SiO₂ composite with different photocatalytic reactivity with the aid of suitable PEG template in supercritical CO₂.     

TiO2–carbon nanotube heterojunction arrays with a controllable thickness of TiO2 layer and their first application in photocatalysis

TiO₂–carbon nanotube (CNT) heterojunction arrays on Ti substrate were fabricated by a two-step thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. CNT arrays were first grown on Ti substrate vertically, and then a TiO₂ layer, whose thickness could be controlled by varying the deposition time, was deposited on CNTs. Measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the thickness of the TiO₂ layer could affect the photoresponse ability significantly. About 100 nm thickness of the TiO₂ layer proved to be best for efficient charge separation among the tested samples. The optimized TiO₂–CNT heterojunction arrays displayed apparently higher photoresponse capability than that of TiO₂ nanotube arrays which was confirmed by surface photovoltage (SPV) technique based on Kelvin probe and EIS. In the photocatalytic experiments, the kinetic constants of phenol degradation with TiO₂–CNT heterojunctions and TiO₂ nanotubes were 0.75 h⁻¹ (R² = 0.983) and 0.39 h⁻¹ (R² = 0.995), respectively. At the same time, 53.7% of total organic carbon (TOC) was removed with TiO₂–CNT heterojunctions, while the removal of TOC was only 16.7% with TiO₂ nanotubes. These results demonstrate the super capability of the TiO₂–CNT heterojunction arrays in photocatalysis with comparison to TiO₂-only nanomaterial.     

Bi2WO6/TiO2纳米管异质结构复合材料的多模式下的光催化活性比较

以TiO₂纳米管为模板,采用多组分自组装结合水热法制备Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂纳米管异质结构复合材料。通过多种技术如X射线衍射（XRD）,X射线光电子能谱（XPS）,N₂吸附-脱附,扫描电镜（SEM）,高分辨透射电镜（HRTEM）和紫外可见漫反射吸收光谱（UV-Vis DRS）考察所制备样品的组成、结构、形貌、光吸收和电子性质。Bi₂WO₆纳米片或纳米粒子分布在TiO₂纳米管上,形成异质结构。随后,通过在紫外、可见和微波辅助光催化模式下降解染料罗丹明B（RhB）来评价复合催化剂的光催化活性。与TiO₂纳米管和Bi₂WO₆相比,Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂-35纳米管在多模式下表现出更优异的光催化活性。与紫外和可见降解模式相比,Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂-35纳米管在微波辅助光催化模式下对RhB的降解效率最高。这种增强的光催化活性源于适量Bi₂WO₆的引入、纳米管独特的形貌特征和降解模式所引起的增强的量子效率。降解过程中的活性物种被证明是h⁺,·OH和·O₂^-自由基。而且,在微波辅助光催化模式下,可产生更多的·OH和·O₂^-自由基。     

Ultradeep Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) Derivatives over Mo-Sulfide Catalysts Supported on TiO2-Coated Alumina Composite

The present paper reviews in detail the different studies now being conducted by our research team concerning the ultradeep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) derivatives over Mo/TiO₂ and Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. First, a detailed characterization of Mo/TiO₂ (P-25 Degussa, 50 m²/g) catalysts prepared by equilibrium adsorption technique shows that Mo- species are highly and uniformly dispersed on the surface of titania up to 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading. Above this value, some aggregation of Mo occurs, leading to the formation of bulk MoO₃. Below 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading, the Raman spectroscopy data of the calcined samples show that the supported Mo-species possess a highly distorted octahedral MoO₆ structure. TiO₂–Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TiCl₄ as a precursor. Using several characterization techniques, we demonstrated that the support composite presents a high dispersion of TiO₂ over -Al₂O₃ without forming precipitates up to ca. 11 wt% loading. Moreover, the textural properties of the composite support are comparable to those of alumina. Under the present sulfidation conditions (673 K, 5%H₂S/95%H₂), Mo-species supported on TiO₂ are better sulfided than on alumina, as demonstrated using XPS. This can be attributed to the relatively lower interaction between Mo-species and titania. The state of sulfide species supported on the composite support can be considered as a transition state between TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. However, at relatively higher TiO₂ loadings (ca. 11 wt%), Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibit sulfidability similar to that of Mo/TiO₂. The HDS tests conducted in both the laboratory and in industry show that sulfide catalysts supported on TiO₂–Al₂O₃ (ca. 11 wt% TiO₂) are more active than those supported on TiO₂ or Al₂O₃.     

An ultra-low hydrolysis sol-gel route for titanosilicate xerogels and their characterization

In this work TiO₂-SiO₂ xerogels were prepared through an ultra low hydrolysis method using titanium and silicon alkoxide. The samples were heat treated to 500°C. The xerogels were characterized using TGA/DTA, FTIR, XRD and TEM. The samples showed the formation of Si–O–Ti bridges by its characteristic vibration within 925–960 cm⁻¹ range. Si–O–Si bond angles were calculated using the central force network model. The TiO₂ in all the samples crystallized on heat treatment to 500°C. The crystallite size calculated using the Scherer formula from the XRD was verified from the Transmission Electron Micrograph. Samples heat treated to 350°C remained amorphous and hence could be used as hosts for biomaterials and organic optical materials.     

PVA在提高TiO2/CdSe异质结光催化活性与抗光腐蚀性能方面的应用及机理

通过阳极氧化法和电化学沉积制备了TiO_2/CdSe异质结膜,并通过旋涂结合后续热处理的方法,在TiO_2/CdSe异质结膜上制备适量脱水态的聚乙烯醇(PVA)来提高TiO_2/CdSe异质结抗光腐蚀性能。采用XRD,SEM,FTIR,UV-Vis,PL,电化学测试,光催化降解罗丹明B等方法对样品的晶体结构、微观形貌、光电化学性能、光催化性能等进行了表征,并通过测定光降解体系中Cd2+的浓度,研究了纳米复合材料的抗光腐蚀性能。结果表明,与TiO_2/CdSe相比,TiO_2/CdSe/PVA纳米复合材料不仅具有更好的可见光光催化活性,还具有良好的可见光光催化稳定性和抗光腐蚀性能。同时,PVA的存在对光催化反应中的二次污染物Cd2+也有抑制作用。     

Fabrication and characterization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite nanoparticles and polyurethane/(TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) nanocomposite films

TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel process. To obtain the assembly of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles, different molar ratios of Ti/Si were investigated. Polyurethane (PU)/(TiO₂–SiO₂) hybrid films were synthesized using the “grafting from” technique by incorporation of modified TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles building blocks into PU matrix. Firstly, 3-aminopropyltriethysilane was employed to encapsulate TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles’ surface. Secondly, the PU shell was tethered to the TiO₂–SiO₂ core surface via surface functionalized reaction. The particle size of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite sol was performed on dynamic light scattering, and the microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared. Thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) employed to study the hybrid films. The average particle size of the TiO₂–SiO₂ composite particles is about 38 nm when the molar ratio of Ti/Si reaches to1:1. The TEM image indicates that TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PU matrix.     

Application of beam irradiation in preparation of visible light responsive TiO2 films

TiO₂ films were prepared by sol-gel method. In order to improve the utilization of light, the technologies of implantation of transition metal ions (V⁺ and Cr⁺) and electron beam irradiation to deposit noble metal particles (Ag and Pt) were used. A red shift was found in the spectrum of modified TiO₂ films. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the photocatalytic ability under visible light irradiation could be improved dramatically by both the implantation of transition metal and the electron beam irradiation. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2007, 28(1): 39–44 [译自: 催化学报]     

Preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/activated carbon with Fe ions doping photocatalyst and its application to photocatalytic degradation of reactive brilliant red K2G

Titanium dioxide coated on activated carbon (AC) with Fe ions doping (Fe-TiO₂/AC) composite was prepared by an improved sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activities were tested by photocatalytic degradation of reactive brilliant red K2G in solution. The results show that in comparison with the agglomeration of pure TiO₂, the TiO₂ nanoparticles are well dispersed in the AC matrix, of which sizes are decreased with Fe ions doping. Additionally, the iron species on TiO₂ of composite are Fe₂O₃ and FeO, which do not affect the crystalline structures of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The AC matrix and iron doping content influence the fluorescence intensity of composite due to their effects on recombination probability of hole-electron pairs. Compared with TiO₂, 0.3% Fe-TiO₂, TiO₂/AC, 0.5% Fe-TiO₂/AC and 0.1% Fe-TiO₂/AC, the 0.3% Fe-TiO₂/AC shows the highest photoactivity with the complete mineralization of K2G for finite time due to the optimum Fe ions content and AC matrix. Furthermore, the kinetic constant (k = 0.0229 min⁻¹) of 0.3% Fe-TiO₂/AC composite is more than the sum of both TiO₂/AC (0.0154 min⁻¹) and 0.3% Fe-TiO₂ (0.0057 min⁻¹) because coexistence of the AC and Fe ions has an enlarging effect on improving the photoactivity of TiO₂. Supported by the Education Department Foundation of Hunan Province (Grant No. 08B063) and Science and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (Grant No. 09JJ6101)     

Dielectric properties and I-V characteristics of (Pb<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films improved by TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> buffer layers

A TiO₂ thin buffer layer was introduced between the (Pb_0.4Sr_0.6)TiO₃ (PST) film and the Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate in an attempt to improve their electrical properties. Both TiO₂ and PST layers were prepared by a chemical solution deposition method. It was found that the TiO₂ buffer layer increased the (100)/(001) preferred orientation of PST and decreased the surface roughness of the films, leading to an enhancement in electrical properties including an increase in dielectric constant and in its tunability by DC voltage, as well as a decrease in dielectric loss and leakage current density. At an optimized thickness of the TiO₂ buffer layer deposited using 0.02 mol/l TiO₂ sol, the 330-nm-thick PST films had a dielectric constant, loss and tunability of 1126, 0.044 and 60.7% at 10 kHz, respectively, while the leakage current density was 1.95 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm² at 100 kV/cm.     

Study on catalyst carrier nano-α-alumina with high specific surface area

A nano-alumina with high specific area was prepared using a homogeneous precipitation method with titanium dioxide and barium oxide as modifying additives. Results showed that 5 wt% TiO₂ or BaO added in the alumina gels can decrease the particle size and increase the specific area, but excessive TiO₂ or BaO could deteriorate the properties of α-Al₂O₃. __________ Translated from Journal of Shandong University of Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 27(3): 23–26 [译自: 山东理工大学学报(自然科学版)]     

过硫酸盐激活协同可见光催化降解四环素的机理和降解路径

为了提升微污染水体中抗生素的降解效率,利用过硫酸钠（PDS）激活协同手性介孔TiO₂可见光催化（PDS/vis-TiO₂）对四环素（TC）进行降解。详细对比研究了以手性TiO₂作为催化剂的PDS激活（PDS/TiO₂）、可见光催化（vis-TiO₂）和PDS/vis-TiO₂三种体系中,降解污染物的活性物种和污染物降解路径等的差异。结果表明,不对称的螺旋堆积结构在手性介孔TiO₂中引入了丰富的Ti³⁺,不仅提升了其可见光响应,同时能够激活PDS生成自由基。PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中光生空穴h⁺和·OH等多种自由基可以同时参与TC的降解,5 h内其对TC去除率可达到95%以上,远超PDS/TiO₂体系（TC去除率为48.9%）和vis-TiO₂体系（TC去除率为71.1%）。PDS加入到光催化体系中,会受到光生电子的激活而产生自由基,从而消耗光生电子,提升光生空穴和电子的分离率,达到协同增强污染物的降解能力。另外PDS激活后产生自由基也会大大增加体系对TC的降解性能。密度泛函理论计算和中间产物分析结果表明,TC在PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中的降解路径包含了光生空穴h+攻击TC的降解路径,同时也包括自由基攻击TC的降解路径。     

Preparation of Titanium Oxide Layer on Silica Glass Substrate with Titanium Naphthenate Precursor

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ thin films on silica glass substrates were prepared by using a naphthenic acid precursor. As-deposited thin films were heat treated at 500, 600, 700 and 800^∘C for 30 min in air. The TiO₂ thin films were analyzed by High Resolution X-ray diffraction, ultra violet—visible—near infrared spectrophotometer, field emission—scanning electron microscope and scanning probe microscope. After annealing at 600 and 700^∘C, the XRD patterns consist of only anatase peaks of TiO₂ film. Rutile(110) peak begins to appear at an annealing temperature of 800^∘C. Relative high transmittance at visible range was obtained for all films except the film annealed at 800^∘C. Optical band gap, E_g, is in the range between 3.53 and 3.78 eV except the TiO₂ film annealed at 500^∘C. The best hydrophilicity was achieved with a high-temperature annealing.