Dye degradation studies of Mo‐doped TiO2 thin films developed by reactive sputtering

TiO₂ thin films with various Mo concentrations have been deposited on glass and n‐type silicon (100) substrates by this radio‐frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering at 400°C substrate temperature. The crystal structure, surface morphology, composition, and elemental oxidation states of the films have been analyzed by using X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy has been used to investigate the degradation, transmittance, and absorption properties of doped and undoped TiO₂ films. The photocatalytic degradation activity of the films was evaluated by using methylene blue under a light intensity of 100 mW cm⁻². The X‐ray diffraction patterns show the presence of anatase phase of TiO₂ in the developed films. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies have confirmed that Mo is present only as Mo⁶⁺ ions in all films. The Mo/TiO₂ band gap decreases from ~3.3 to 3.1 eV with increasing Mo dopant concentrations. Dye degradation of ~60% is observed in Mo/TiO₂ samples, which is much higher than that of pure TiO₂.     

Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Films Fabricated by Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐assembly of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Lignosulfonates

Photocatalytic multilayer nanocomposite films composed of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles and lignosulfonates (LS) were fabricated on quartz slides by the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly technique. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films. Moreover, the photocatalytic properties (decomposition of methyl orange and bacteria) of multilayer nanocomposite films were investigated. XPS results indicated that the intensities of titanium and sulfur peaks increased with the LBL deposition process. A linear increase in absorbance at 280 nm was found by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, suggesting that stepwise multilayer growth occurs on the substrate and this deposition process is highly reproducible. AFM images showed that quartz slide was completely covered by TiO₂ nanoparticles when a 10‐bilayer multilayer film was formed. The decomposition efficiency of methyl orange by TiO₂/LS multilayer films under the same UV irradiation time increased linearly with the number of TiO₂ layers, and the results of decomposition of bacteria under UV irradiation showed that TiO₂/LS multilayer nanocomposite films exhibited excellent decomposition activity of bacteria (Escherichia coil).     

Antibacteria and Detoxification Function of Polystyrene/TiO2 Nanocomposites

The composites of TiO₂ nanoparticles (anatase structure, average particle size 20–30 nm) as inorganic particle additive in the polystyrene (PS) were prepared by co‐rotating twin screw extruder. The structure and morphology of the composites were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD). Titanium (Ti) element distribution on the surface of PS/TiO₂ master batch was measured by energydispersive x‐ray microanalysis system. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Charpy impact strength were tested and revealed that reached the maximum value when the content of TiO₂ nanoparticles is at 1.0 wt%. The composites possess excellent antibacterial and detoxification effect on the familiar bacillus. The antibacteria efficiency of the composites is more than 99% and its detoxification efficiency on the bacterial endotoxin is more than 90%.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of N‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes

N‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes with high photocatalytic activity were prepared by the combination of sol‐gel process with hydrothermal treatment. The prepared materials are characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), x‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and UV‐vis spectra. Photocatalytic performance of the N‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes is studied by testing the degradation rate of methyl orange under UV irradiation. Obtained results indicate that N‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes have high catalytic activity for photocatalytic oxidation.     

Biomimetic Approach to the Formation of Titanium Dioxide Thin Films by Using Poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)

We demonstrate that the biomimetic method—which has been used for the formation of silica thin films—also could be applied directly to the formation of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films, which are technologically important materials because of their applications to photocatalytic purifiers, photochemical solar cells, and others. After generation of poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) films on gold surfaces by surface‐initiated polymerization, titanium bis(ammonium lactato)dihydroxide was used as a precursor of TiO₂. The TiO₂/PDMAEMA films were successfully formed on the surfaces in aqueous solution at neutral pH (pH 6.7) and room temperature, and were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffractometry. The formed TiO₂ films have an amorphous nature and large area uniformity in thickness. The degree of crystallization was controlled by annealing. We also investigated the pH effect and the phosphate incorporation in the films by using phosphate‐buffered solutions. The TiO₂ films were formed in all the employed pH values in the range of 2 to 12, but phosphate anions were found to be incorporated into the films facilely only at low pH.     

A new method for deposition nitrogen‐doped TiO2 nanofibers with mixed phases of anatase and rutile

A new method for deposition nitrogen‐doped TiO₂ nanofibers films was proposed. By using atmospheric pressure plasma jet generated by dual‐frequency power sources, the morphologies of these TiO₂ films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The structures of these films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and Raman Shift Spectroscopy. The elemental composition of these films [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com ] were characterized by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optical absorption of these films were studied by UV‐vis absorbance spectra. These results indicated that the nitrogen‐doped nanofibers TiO₂ films have mixed phases of anatase and rutile. They also display narrow band gap. The I‐V characteristics curves exhibited good conductivity ability. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was measured to analyze the active group.     

Fabrication of TiO2 Grating with Composites of Azobenzene Polymer and TiO2 Nanoparticles

We have used the formation of surface relief gratings (SRG) on azobenzene polymers to manipulate TiO₂ nanoparticles and to fabricate TiO₂ nanoparticle gratings. Suspensions of an azobenzene polymer (PDO3) and TiO₂ were used to spin coat thin films on glass slide substrates. By interfering coherent light from an Argon laser on the surface of the PDO3‐TiO₂ composite films, SRGs were fabricated. Atomic force microscopic images of the SRGs show TiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed throughout the sample, and in particular, at the peaks of the SRG after oxygen plasma treatment. The lateral forces acting on the azobenzene polymer during the SRG fabrication drag the TiO₂ nanoparticles. These results indicated that it is feasible to create TiO₂ nanoparticle gratings with the composites.     

Highly Active Nickel Nanoparticles Supported on TiO2 Nanotube Electrodes for Methanol Electrooxidation

Nickel nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanotubes/Ti electrodes were prepared by galvanic deposition of nickel nanoparticles on the TiO₂ nanotubes layer on titanium substrates. Titanium oxide nanotubes were fabricated by anodizing titanium foil in a DMSO fluoride‐containing electrolyte. The morphology and surface characteristics of titanium dioxide nanotubes and Ni/TiO₂/Ti electrodes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicated that nickel nanoparticles were homogeneously deposited on the surface of TiO₂ nanotubes. The electrocatalytic behaviour of nickel nanoparticles/TiO₂/Ti electrodes for the methanol electrooxidation was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods. The results showed that Ni/TiO₂/Ti electrodes exhibit a considerably higher electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of methanol.     

Fabrication of Au‐Nanoparticle/TiO2‐Nanotubes Electrodes Using Electrochemical Methods and Their Application for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Hydroquinone

Gold nanoparticle (Au‐NPs)‐Titanium oxide nanotube (TiO₂‐NTs) electrodes are prepared by using galvanic deposition of gold nanoparticles on TiO₂‐NTs electrodes as support. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy results indicate that nanotubular TiO₂ layers consist of individual tubes of about 60–90 nm diameters and gold nanoparticles are well‐dispersed on the surface of TiO₂‐NTs support. The electrooxidation of hydroquinone of Au‐NPs/TiO₂‐NTs electrodes is investigated by different electrochemical methods. Au‐NPs/TiO₂‐NTs electrode can be used repeatedly and exhibits stable electrocatalytic activity for the hydroquinone oxidation. Also, determination of hydroquinone in skin cream using this electrode was evaluated. Results were found to be satisfactory and no matrix effects are observed during the determination of hydroquinone content of the “skin cream” samples.     

Electrochemical Fabrication and Properties of Highly Ordered Fe‐Doped TiO2 Nanotubes

Highly‐ordered Fe‐doped TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂nts) were fabricated by anodization of co‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films in a glycerol electrolyte containing NH₄F. The as‐sputtered Ti–Fe thin films correspond to a solid solution of Ti and Fe according to X‐ray diffraction. The Fe‐doped TiO₂nts were studied in terms of composition, morphology and structure. The characterization included scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. As a result of the Fe doping, an indirect bandgap of 3.0 eV was estimated using Tauc’s plot, and this substantial red‐shift extends its photoresponse to visible light. From the Mott–Schottky analysis, the flat‐band potential (E_fb) and the charge carrier concentration (N_D) were determined to be ?0.95 V vs Ag/AgCl and 5.0 ×10¹⁹ cm^?3 respectively for the Fe‐doped TiO₂nts, whilst for the undoped TiO₂nts, E_fb of ?0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl and N_D of 6.5×10¹⁹ cm^?3 were obtained.     

Preparation of Ni/TiO2 Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Performance on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

Metal/oxide nanoparticles are attractive because of their special structure and better properties. The Ni/TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by a liquid phase chemical reduction method in this paper. The obtained‐products were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that Ni particles in Ni/TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibit better dispersion and the size of most Ni particles is 10 nm or so. The catalytic activity of Ni/TiO₂ nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated by simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA). Results show that composite process of Ni and TiO₂ can improve the catalytic activity of Ni nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of AP, which is mainly attributed to the improvement of Ni dispersion in Ni/TiO₂ nanoparticles. The catalytic activity of Ni/TiO₂ nanoparticles increases with increasing the weight ratio of Ni to AP.     

浸渍-分解法制备高可见光催化活性的Bi2O3/TiO2纳米管阵列

用浸渍-分解法将Bi₂O₃纳米颗粒沉积在TiO₂纳米管壁上, 制备了Bi₂O₃/TiO₂纳米管阵列. 用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-AES)测定了Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ 纳米管阵列的化学组分, 利用X 射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)和紫外-可见(UV-Vis)吸收光谱表征了所制备的样品. 通过在可见光下(λ>400 nm)降解甲基橙(MO)水溶液来评价样品的光催化活性. 结果表明, Bi₂O₃纳米颗粒均匀地沉积在TiO₂纳米管中. Bi₂O₃/TiO₂纳米管阵列具有比纯Bi₂O₃膜和N-TiO₂纳米管阵列高得多的可见光催化活性. Bi₂O₃/TiO₂纳米管阵列活性的增强是其强可见光吸收和Bi₂O₃与TiO₂之间形成的异质结的协同作用的结果.     

The Effect of SiO2 Addition on the Grain Size and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Thin Films

The uniform transparent TiO₂/SiO₂ nanometer composite thin films were prepared via sol-gel method on the soda lime glass substrates, and were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FTIR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET surface areas. It was found that the addition of SiO₂ to TiO₂ thin films could suppress the grain growth of TiO₂ crystal and increase the hydroxyl content of the surface of TiO₂ films. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared TiO₂/SiO₂ composite thin films increases for SiO₂ content of less than 5 mol%.     

Electrodeposition of Zn–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite films—effect of bath composition

Zn–TiO₂ nanocomposite films were prepared by pulsed electrodeposition from acidic zinc sulphate solutions on a Ti support. The influence on the composite structural and morphological characteristics of Zn²⁺ and TiO₂ concentrations in the deposition bath has been investigated. The characterisation of the samples was made by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). For all the obtained coatings, the anatase and rutile phases’ most intense diffraction lines were observed between 24° and 28° 2θ, confirming the formation of the Zn–TiO₂ nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction data show that the presence of the TiO₂ nanoparticles plays a remarkable influence on the preferred orientation of the metal matrix. For the more diluted solution, a dependence between the metallic matrix grain size and the concentration of TiO₂ in bath is observed. The grain size decreases with the increasing on the nanoparticle amounts. The SEM results for Zn and Zn–TiO₂ deposits indicate that the nanoparticles have a strong influence on the deposit surface morphology, which is caused by the changes on the deposition mechanism.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Nitrogen‐doped TiO2 Nanowires with Enhanced Photocurrent Generation

A nitrogen‐doped TiO₂ (N‐TiO₂) nanowire film was synthesized via a one‐pot hydrothermal method using triethylamine as nitrogen source. The effect of the concentration of the triethylamine on the films was evaluated. In addition, the N‐TiO₂ nanowires were characterized using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. A 3.2× enhancement of the photocurrent for N‐TiO₂ (0.6) was achieved over the as‐prepared TiO₂ nanowire, under AM1.5G solar illumination. This was due to nitrogen doping, which could narrow the bandgap of titania to extend the adsorption of the catalyst to the visible light region.     

Synthesis of CuInS2@CdS Core‐Shell Nanocrystals

CuInS₂@CdS core‐shell nanocrystals were prepared in a wet chemical process. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), x‐ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to confirm the formation of the CuInS₂@CdS core‐shell structure. The growth of CdS shell not only increased the PL intensity, but also restrained the transformation of CuInS₂ from nanoparticles to nanorods after annealing, which was attributed to an effective chemical passivation of the CuInS₂ core by the CdS shell.     

Microwave‐Hydrothermal Preparation and Visible‐Light Photoactivity of Plasmonic Photocatalyst Ag‐TiO2 Nanocomposite Hollow Spheres

Visible‐light‐driven plasmonic photocatalyst Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite hollow spheres are prepared by a template‐free chemically‐induced self‐transformation strategy under microwave‐hydrothermal conditions, followed by a photochemical reduction process under xenon lamp irradiation. The prepared samples are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherms, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. Production of ?OH radicals on the surface of visible‐light illuminated TiO₂ was detected by using a photoluminescence method with terephthalic acid as the probe molecule. The photocatalytic activity of as‐prepared samples was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution at ambient temperature under visible‐light irradiation. The results show that the surface plasmon absorption band of the silver nanoparticles supported on the TiO₂ hollow spheres was red shifted, and a strong surface enhanced Raman scattering effect for the Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite sample was observed. The prepared nanocomposite hollow spheres exhibits a highly visible‐light photocatalytic activity for photocatalytic degradation of RhB in water, and their photocatalytic activity is higher than that of pure TiO₂ and commercial Degussa P25 (P25) powders. Especially, the as‐prepared Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite hollow spheres at the nominal atomic ratio of silver to titanium ( R ) of 2 showed the highest photocatalytic activity, which exceeds that of P25 by a factor of more than 2.     

Development of an Aluminium Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles‐modified Screen Printed Carbon Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing of Vanillin in Food Samples

A new chemically modified electrode based on titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂‐NPs) has been developed. Aluminium was incorporated into the TiO₂‐NPs to prepare aluminium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles (Al‐TiO₂‐NPs). Aluminium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles‐modified screen printed carbon electrode (Al‐TiO₂‐NPs/SPCE) was employed as easy, efficient and rapid sensor for electrochemical detection of vanillin in various types of food samples. Al‐TiO₂‐NPs were characterized by energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and analyses showing that the average particle sizes varied for the Al‐NPs (7.63 nm) and Al‐TiO₂‐NPs (7.47 nm) with spherical crystal. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were used to optimize the analytical procedure. A detection limit of vanillin was 0.02 μM, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.50 %, obtained for a 5.0 μM concentration of vanillin. The electrochemical behaviour of several compounds, such as vanillic acid, vanillic alcohol, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and p‐hydroxybenzoic, etc., generally present in natural vanilla samples, were also studied to check the interferences with respect to vanillin voltammetric signal. The applicability was demonstrated by analysing food samples. The obtained results were compared with those provided by a previous method based on liquid chromatography for determination of vanillin.     

脉冲沉积制备Cu2O/TiO2纳米管异质结的可见光光催化性能

在用阳极氧化法制备有序排列TiO₂纳米管阵列薄膜的基础上,引入脉冲沉积工艺,成功实现了均匀、弥散分布的Cu₂O纳米颗粒修饰改性TiO₂纳米管阵列,形成Cu₂O/TiO₂ 纳米管异质结复合材料. 利用场发射扫描电镜（FESEM）、场发射透射电镜（FETEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）对样品进行表征,重点研究了Cu₂O/TiO₂ 纳米管异质结的光电化学特性和对甲基橙（MO）的可见光催化降解性能. 结果表明,Cu₂O纳米颗粒均匀附着在TiO₂纳米管阵列的管口和中部位置,所制备的Cu₂O/TiO₂ 纳米管异质结具有高效的可见光光催化性能;在浓度为0.01 mol·L^-1的CuSO₄溶液中制得的Cu₂O/TiO₂纳米管异质结表现出最好的电化学特性和光催化性能;另外,对Cu₂O纳米颗粒影响光催化活性的机理进行了讨论.     

Extensive Reduction in Back Electron Transfer in Twisted Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer (TICT) Coumarin‐Dye‐Sensitized TiO2 Nanoparticles/Film: A Femtosecond Transient Absorption Study

We report the synthesis, characterization, and optical and electrochemical properties of two structurally similar coumarin dyes ( C1 and C2 ). These dyes have been deployed as sensitizers in TiO₂ nanoparticles and thin films, and the effect of molecular structure on interfacial electron‐transfer dynamics has been studied. Steady‐state optical absorption, emission, and time‐resolved emission studies on both C1 and C2 , varying the polarity of the solvent and the solution pH, suggest that both photoexcited dyes exist in a locally excited (LE) state in solvents of low polarity. In highly polar solvents, however, C1 exists in an intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) state, whereas C2 exists in both ICT and twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer (TICT) states, their populations depending on the degree of polarity of the solvent and the pH of the solution. We have employed femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to monitor the charge‐transfer dynamics in C1 ‐ and C2 ‐sensitized TiO₂ nanoparticles and thin films. Electron injection has been confirmed by direct detection of electrons in the conduction band of TiO₂ nanoparticles and of radical cations of the dyes in the visible and near‐IR regions of the transient absorption spectra. Electron injection in both the C1 /TiO₂ and C2 /TiO₂ systems has been found to be pulse‐width limited (<100 fs); however, back‐electron‐transfer (BET) dynamics has been found to be slower in the C2 /TiO₂ system than in the C1 /TiO₂ system. The involvement of TICT states in C2 is solely responsible for the higher electron injection yield as well as the slower BET process compared to those in the C1 /TiO₂ system. Further pH‐dependent experiments on C1 ‐ and C2 ‐sensitized TiO₂ thin films have corroborated the participation of the TICT state in the slower BET process in the C2 /TiO₂ system.