Title: Dense TiO₂ thin film: photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties

Authors: W.Y. Gan, K. Chiang, M. Brungs, R. Amal, H. Zhao

Addresses: ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. ' ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. ' ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. ' ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. ' Centre for Aquatic Processes and Pollution, School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, PMB 50, Gold Coast Mail Center, QLD 9726, Australia

Abstract: Sol-gel derived transparent dense TiO₂ thin film was dip-coated on glass substrates. The surface morphology of the film was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and its crystal phase was characterised by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Photoelectrochemical properties of the TiO₂ films were evaluated in the presence of organic compounds with different molecular structure. At low concentration ranges, the magnitude of photocurrent increment can be linked to the molecular structure of the organic compounds. While at high concentrations, the photocurrent generated was dependent on the differences between the interactions of different organic compounds and their partially degraded intermediates with TiO₂ surface. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ films was evaluated by the degradation of oxalic acid.

Keywords: TiO₂; dense thin film; photoelectrochemistry; photocatalysis; titanium dioxide; nanotechnology; sol gel; glass substrates; surface morphology; hazardous pollutants; toxic pollutants; wastewater treatment; water pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2007.014752

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2007 Vol.4 No.5, pp.574 - 587

Published online: 06 Aug 2007 *

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