Effect of silver incorporation on crystallization and microstructural properties of sol–gel derived titania thin films on glass

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films, with and without silver (Ag), were prepared on float glass via sol–gel processing. The float glass substrates were pre-coated with a silica-barrier layer prior to the deposition of TiO₂-based thin films. Silver nanoparticle incorporation into the TiO₂ matrix was achieved by thermal reduction of Ag ions dissolved in a titanium-n-butoxide (Ti[O(CH₂)₃CH₃]₄) based sol during calcination in air at 250, 450 and 650 °C. Thin films were characterized using glancing incidence X-ray diffraction, UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of Ag concentration and calcination temperature on microstructure and on chemical and physical properties of the thin films have been reported. The size and chemical state of Ag particles, as well as the phase characteristics of the titania matrix were strongly influenced by Ag concentration and calcination temperature. Results from this study can be utilized in both processing and structure-functional property optimization of sol–gel based Ag-TiO₂ thin films by aqueous routes.     

TiO2薄膜的Ag改性及光催化活性

 用光化学沉积法对纳米TiO2薄膜进行了Ag改性,用漫反射紫外-可见光谱、扫描电子显微镜和X射线光电子能谱分析了Ag-TiO2薄膜的光谱特征、表面形貌和表面组成. 以苯酚为模拟污染物,在不同波长光源及有氧和无氧条件下考察了Ag-TiO2薄膜的光催化活性. 结果表明,当银沉积量大于 0.0150 mg/cm2时, Ag-TiO2薄膜对紫外光的吸收发生了明显的蓝移,同时在346 nm附近出现了小的吸收峰且该峰随着银沉积量的增加逐渐向长波方向移动. 沉积在TiO2薄膜表面的银颗粒大小不均匀,主要以单质银的形式存在,也生成了部分Ag2O; 相对于TiO2薄膜, Ag-TiO2薄膜表面吸附氧的含量明显增大. Ag-TiO2薄膜的光吸收特性对其催化活性影响较大. 在低压汞灯及有氧参与的条件下,银沉积量为0.0523 mg/cm2的Ag-TiO2薄膜的催化活性最高, 其反应速率常数是TiO2薄膜的1.16倍. Ag+更易沉积在较大n值的Ag簇上,其颗粒大小不可能完全均匀. Ag-TiO2薄膜的光吸收特性、 Ag簇的大小以及Ag对O2的吸附作用是决定Ag-TiO2薄膜催化活性的主要因素.     

以DDAB为模板的银纳米粒子多层膜制备及其表面增强拉曼效应

通过离子交换和静电相互作用, 将银纳米粒子引入双十二烷基二甲基溴化铵(DDAB)模板中, 获得了有序的银纳米粒子多层膜. 用紫外-可见光谱(UV-Vis)、循环伏安(CV)和原子力显微镜(AFM)对其进行了表征, 并用小角X射线衍射(XRD)研究了DDAB模板和银纳米粒子多层膜的有序性结构. 以4-巯基吡啶(4-MPY)为探针分子研究了银纳米粒子多层膜在表面增强拉曼(SERS)方面的应用, 结果表明, 4-MPY吸附在银纳米粒子多层膜上呈现很强的SERS信号, 说明该多层膜可以用作高活性的SERS基底.     

Photovoltaic Behaviour of Titanyl Phthalocyanine Thin Films and Titania Bilayer Films

Summary: Titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) thin films were prepared using evaporation and surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) in a vacuum deposition system. These films were characterized by means of ultraviolet and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. Valence band and elemental content indicated that phthalocyanine electronic and chemical structures were largely preserved during SPIAD. Further, bilayer thin films of titania (TiO₂) and SPIAD TiOPc were prepared. TiO₂ film was deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering of TiO₂ target. Study of the structured samples was focused on the optical and electrical properties of the composite films. The films were characterized by non-contact photovoltage measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These results suggest there is a possibility to use these bilayer thin films in photovoltaic solar cells, however further experiments to improve conductivity of the films will be required.     

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%.     

CuInS2：两步电沉积制备及性能

采用恒电位沉积法制备铜铟合金预制膜,并存管式炉中通过固态源蒸发硫化预制膜得到CuInS:薄膜.通过扫描电镜(SEM)、能量色散谱仪(EDS)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)对CuInS2薄膜的表而形貌、截面厚度、成分组成和薄膜的组织结构进行了研究,并利用紫外可见光吸收谱仪(UV-Vis)研究了不同硫化温度对CuInS:薄膜的形貌及其光学吸收性质的影响.结果表明:不同的退火温度能够影响CuInS:薄膜的表面形貌以及带隙的大小,从而影响其光学吸收特性.     

Direct electrodeposition of PbTe thin films on n-type silicon

High quality lead telluride thin films were directly deposited onto n-type silicon (1 0 0) substrates by electrodeposition at room temperature. The deposition mechanism was studied using cyclic voltammetry. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the deposited PbTe films exhibited a polycrystalline rock salt structure and good optical properties with a direct band gap of 0.31 eV.     

Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition of Silicon Carbide Thin Films from Organopolysilanes

(Me₃Si)₂SiMe₂, (Me₃Si)₃SiMe and (Me₃Si)₄Si were used as precursors for the deposition of polycrystalline β-SiC thin films on silicon substrates at 1000–1200°C in a low-pressure hot-wall chemical vapor deposition reactor. The thin films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极光电催化降解罗丹明B的性能和机理

用电化学方法制备Ag@AgBr/Ni表面等离子体薄膜电极,以扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）和紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光吸收特性进行了表征,在负偏压和可见光作用下,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用电化学技术和向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光电催化降解机理进行了探索。结果表明：最佳工艺下制备的Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极是由表面沉积纳米Ag的纳米晶AgBr颗粒构成的薄膜,具有显著的表面等离子共振效应。薄膜具有优异的光电催化活性和良好的催化稳定性,在最佳负偏压和可见光照射下反应12 min,薄膜光电催化罗丹明B（c=5 mg·L^-1）的降解率是多孔TiO₂（P25）/ITO纳米薄膜的10.2倍。相对于未加偏压的光催化,降解率提高了2.0倍;在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用5次。电极表面纳米Ag粒子的等离子体共振对于光阴极反应（价带反应）的活化作用是光电催化活性提高的重要原因。提出了负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni表面等离子体薄膜光电催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极光电催化降解罗丹明B的性能和机理

用电化学方法制备Ag@Ag Br/Ni表面等离子体薄膜电极,以扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光吸收特性进行了表征,在负偏压和可见光作用下,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用电化学技术和向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光电催化降解机理进行了探索。结果表明:最佳工艺下制备的Ag@Ag Br/Ni膜电极是由表面沉积纳米Ag的纳米晶Ag Br颗粒构成的薄膜,具有显著的表面等离子共振效应。薄膜具有优异的光电催化活性和良好的催化稳定性,在最佳负偏压和可见光照射下反应12 min,薄膜光电催化罗丹明B(c=5 mg·L~(-1))的降解率是多孔Ti O2(P25)/ITO纳米薄膜的10.2倍。相对于未加偏压的光催化,降解率提高了2.0倍;在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用5次。电极表面纳米Ag粒子的等离子体共振对于光阴极反应(导带反应)的活化作用是光电催化活性提高的重要原因。提出了负偏压下Ag@Ag Br/Ni表面等离子体薄膜光电催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

Useful and accessible organometallic precursors for preparation of zinc sulfide and indium sulfide thin films via solution pyrolysis (printing) method

Polycrystalline β-zinc sulfide thin films were prepared by solution pyrolysis of an ethylzinc isopropylthiolate–zinc bis(dibutyldithiocarbamate) combined precursor (EtZnSiPr–Zn(S₂CNnBu₂)₂) in chloroform solution on glass or silicon(111) substrates at 300°C. Homogeneous but amorphous indium sulfide thin films were obtained from butylindium bis(isopropylthiolate) (nBuInSiPr₂) in P-xylene on these substrates at 300°C similarly. The sulfide thin films obtained were characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence Microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical band gap measurements.     

Preparation and characterization of thin TiO2-films on gold/mica

Flat and highly (111) oriented gold and silver films were prepared by physical vapour deposition (PVD) using optimized deposition parameters. On these films, which were characterized with atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), titanium dioxide films were deposited by electron beam evaporation and dip coating. Dip coating from titanium tetraisopropoxide solutions resulted in films with different morphology and coverage depending on the alkoxide concentration (0.009 mol/L – 0.60 mol/L) and the post-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM revealed that the deposited TiO₂ consists of amorphous, highly porous islands when the applied alkoxide concentration is high (0.05 mol/L – 0.6 mol/L). At higher temperatures these amorphous TiO₂ islands sintered significantly and crystallized to anatase. In contrast, transparent TiO₂ films were obtained from low concentrated alkoxide solutions (< 0.01 mol/L) which covered the whole substrate, similar to electron beam evaporated thin films. Sputter profiles with ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) indicated that the film thickness is in the range of 2 nm when alkoxide solutions with a concentration of 9 mmol/L are used. The deposition of TiO₂ by electron beam evaporation normally resulted in significantly reduced TiO₂ films, completely oxidized ones were obtained when deposition was performed at elevated oxygen partial pressures (p(O₂) > 2 × 10^–5 mbar).     

Silver containing sol–gel derived silica thin films: effect of aluminum incorporation on optical,microstructural and bactericidal properties

Silver containing silica (Ag–SiO₂) thin films with and without aluminum (Al) were prepared on soda-lime-silica glass by spin coating of aqueous sols. The coating sol was formed through mixing tetraethyl orthosilicate [Si(OC₂H₅)₄]/ethanol solution with aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and aluminum nitrate nonahydrate [(AlNO₃)₃·9H₂O] solutions. The deposited films were calcined in air at 100, 300 and 500 °C for 2 h and characterized using x-ray diffraction, UV-visible and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of Al incorporation and calcination treatment on microstructure and durability of the films, and chemical/physical state of silver in the silica thin film have been reported. The bactericidal activity of the films was also determined against Staphylococcus aureus via disk diffusion assay studies before and after chemical durability tests. The investigations revealed that the optical, bactericidal properties and chemical durability of Ag–SiO₂ films can be improved by Al addition. The Al-modified Ag–SiO₂ thin films do not exhibit any coloring after calcination in the range of 100–500 °C, illustrating that silver is incorporated within the silica gel network in ionic form (Ag⁺). Al incorporation also improved the overall durability and antibacterial endurance of Ag–SiO₂ thin films.     

Photoelectrochemical Properties of Sol-Gel Processed Ag-TiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Films

Ag-TiO₂ thin films were prepared with a sol-gel route, using titanium isopropoxide and silver nitrate as precursors, at 0, 0.03 and 0.06 Ag/Ti nominal atomic ratios. After drying at 80°C, the films were fired at 300°C, 500°C, and 600°C for 30 min and 5 h. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), with depth profiling of the concentration, were used to study the films. XPS analysis showed the presence of C and N as impurities in the nanocomposite films. Their concentration decreased with increasing the firing temperature. Chemical state analysis showed that Ag was present in metallic state, except for the outer layer where it was present as Ag⁺. For the films prepared with a Agt/Ti concentration of 0.06, depth profiling measurements of the film fired at 300°C showed a strong Ag enrichment at the outer surface, while composition remained almost constant within the rest of the film, at Ag/Ti atomic ratio of 0.02. Two layers were found for the films heated to 500°C, where the Ag/Ti ratios were 0.015 near the surface and 0.03 near the substrate. The photoelectrochemical properties of Ag-TiO₂ were studied for thin films deposited on ITO substrates. Photocurrents of Ag-TiO₂ nanocomposite electrodes fired at 300°C were observed even at visible light, for wavelengths longer than 400 nm.     

Comparison of optical and structural properties of nanostructure TiO2 thin film doped by Sn and Nb

The thin films of TiO₂ doped by Sn or Nb were prepared by sol–gel method under process control. The effects of Sn and Nb doping on the structural, optical and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. Surface chemical state of thin films was examined by atomic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD results suggest that adding impurities has a great effect on the crystallinity and particle size of TiO₂. Titania rutile phase formation in thin film was promoted by Sn⁴⁺ addition but was inhibited by Nb⁵⁺ doping. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation kinetics of aqueous methylene blue under UV and Visible radiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of the Sn-doped TiO₂ thin film have a larger degradation efficiency than Nb-doped TiO₂ under visible light, but under UV light photocatalytic activity of the Nb-doped TiO₂ thin film is better.     

Modification of catheter materials by coating with polymer layers containing silver

The surface of polyurethane based catheter material or of silicon wafers as model surfaces were modified by spin coating of solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(vinyl alcohol) in water. For the incorporation of silver ions, silver nitrate was added to some of the solutions or the as-cast surfaces were dipped into AgNO₃ solution. Furthermore, samples coated with a thin layer of metallic silver were prepared by deposition of silver vapor in vacuum. The as-prepared surfaces were studied by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. During the spin coating of the solutions containing AgNO₃, clusters of the silver component were formed. They were well dispersed in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix but act as nucleation agents in poly(ethylene oxide) where then large spherulites are formed. The surface compositions of coated samples and the depth profiling were carried out by angle dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Sol-Gel Preparation and Characterization of Ag-TiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Films

Ag-TiO₂ thin films were prepared with a sol-gel route, using titanium isopropoxide and silver nitrate as precursors, at 0.03 and 0.06 Ag/Ti nominal atomic ratios. After drying at 80°C, the films were fired at 300°C and 500°C for 30 min. The films were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with glancing angle, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), with depth profiling of the concentration. XPS analysis showed the presence of C and N as impurities in the nanocomposite films. Their concentration decreased with increasing the firing temperature. Chemical state analysis showed that Ag was present in metallic state, except for the very outer layer where it was present as Ag⁺. For the films prepared with a Ag/Ti concentration of 0.06, depth profiling measurements of the film fired at 300°C showed a strong Ag enrichment at the outer surface, while composition remained almost constant within the rest of the film, at 0.019. For the films heated to 500°C, two layers were found, where the Ag/Ti ratios were 0.015 near the surface and 0.026 near the substrate.     

Preparation and characterization of silver and indium vanadate co-doped TiO2 thin films as visible-light-activated photocatalyst

Novel visible-light-activated photocatalytic Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films were developed in this paper through a sol-gel method from the TiO₂ sol containing Ag and InVO₄. The photocatalytic activities of Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films were investigated based on the oxidation decomposition of methyl orange in aqueous solution. The Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis). The results revealed that the Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films extended the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region; the Ag and InVO₄ co-doped thin films significantly enhanced the methyl orange photodegradation under visible light irradiation. It has been confirmed that the Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films could be excited by visible light (E < 3.2 eV). The significant enhancement in the Ag/InVO₄-TiO₂ photo activity under visible light irradiation can be ascribed to the simultaneous effects of doped noble metal Ag by acting as electron traps and InVO₄ as narrow band gap sensitizer.     

Photocatalytic Activity and Characterization of the Sol-Gel Derived Pb-Doped TiO2 Thin Films

Photocatalytically active Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were prepared on a soda-lime glass substrate by sol-gel dip-coating technique using TiO₂ sols containing lead(II) nitrate. The thin films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-VIS spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A shift of the UV-VIS absorption towards longer wavelengths was observed, which indicated a decrease in the band-gap of TiO₂ upon Pb doping. XRD results showed both pure and Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were polycrystalline, anatase type, and oriented predominantly to the (101) plane. A slight shift in the d-spacing for the Pb-doped film indicated the incorporation of Pb into the TiO₂ lattice to form Pb _x Ti_1–x O₂ solid solution. AFM results showed Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were composed of larger TiO₂ particles and had rougher surface, compared with un-doped TiO₂ thin films. XPS results showed that except for the enrichment of Pb near the surface, Pb exists in the forms of Pb _x Ti_1–x O₂ and PbO. Dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) was efficiently degraded in the presence of the Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films by exposing the insecticide solution to sunlight. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement of the Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films was discussed.     

X-ray absorption fine structure study of amorphous metal oxide thin films prepared by photochemical metalorganic deposition

The oxidation state and local geometry of the metal centers in amorphous thin films of Fe₂O₃ (Fe³⁺ oxidation state), CoFe₂O₄ (Co²⁺/Fe³⁺ oxidation states), and Cr₂O₃ (Cr³⁺ oxidation state) are determined using K edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The metal oxide thin films were prepared by the solid-state photochemical decomposition of the relevant metal 2-ethylhexanoates, spin cast as thin films. No peaks are observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns, indicating the metal oxides are X-ray amorphous. The oxidation state of the metals is determined from the edge position of the K absorption edges, and in the case of iron-containing samples, an analysis of the pre-edge peaks. In all cases, the EXAFS analysis indicates the first coordination shell consists of oxygen atoms in an octahedral geometry, with a second shell consisting of metals. No higher shells are observed beyond 3.5 Å for all samples, indicating the metal oxides are truly amorphous, consistent with X-ray diffraction results.