Nanocrystalline TiO₂Composte Films for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

In order to extend light response of TiO 2 into the visible region and enhance its photocatalytic activity, V and W surface codoped nanocrytalline TiO 2 film was synthesized by the sol-gel method. Tetrabutyl titanate (Ti (OC 4 H 9 ) 4 ) was chosen as the precursor, and ammonium metavanadate or ammonium tungstate was chosen as vanadium or tungsten source. The high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) results revealed that the film was composed of uniform round-like nanoparticles with size smaller than 6 nm. The photocatalytic activities of TiO 2 films were investigated by degradation of organic dyes in aqueous solutions. V and W codoped TiO 2 film exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity compared to undoped TiO 2 film or single doped TiO 2 film. The improvement mechanism by V and W codoping was also discussed. Keywords: Nanocrystalline TiO 2 ; Composte films; Photocatalytic activity