Origin of visible-light sensitivity in N-doped TiO2 films

In the current study, we analysed the influence of metallic underlayers on carbon-doped TiO2 films for RhB decomposition and Salmonella typhimurium inactivation under visible-light irradiation. All the experiments were divided into two parts. First, layered M/C-doped-TiO2 film structures (M = Ni, Nb, Cu) were prepared by magnetron sputtering technique on borosilicate glass substrates in the two-step deposition process. The influence of metal underlayer on the formation of the carbon-doped TiO2 films was characterised by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope. The comparison between the visible-light assisted photocatalytic activity of M/C-doped TiO2 structures was performed by the photocatalytic bleaching tests of Rhodamine B dye aqueous solution. The best photocatalytic performance was observed for Ni/C-doped-TiO2 film combination. During the second part of the study, the Ni/C-doped-TiO2 film combination was deposited on high-density polyethylene beads which were selected as a floating substrate. The morphology and surface chemical analyses of the floating photocatalyst were performed. The viability and membrane permeability of Salmonella typhimurium were tested in cycling experiments under UV-B and visible-light irradiation. Three consecutive photocatalytic treatments of fresh bacteria suspensions with the same set of floating photocatalyst showed promising results, as after the third 1 h-long treatment bacteria viability was still reduced by 90% and 50% for UV-B and visible-light irradiation, respectively. The membrane permeability and ethidium fluorescence results suggest that Ni underlayer might have direct and indirect effect on the bacteria inactivation process. Additionally, relatively low loss of the photocatalyst efficiency suggests that floating C-doped TiO2 photocatalyst with the Ni underlayer might be seen as the possible solution for the used photocatalyst recovery issue.

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Visible-light photocatalytic activity and recyclability of N-doped TiO2 films grown by MOCVD

Cerâmica ◽

10.1590/0366-69132020663802957 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (380) ◽

pp. 451-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E. C. de Oliveira ◽

R. T. Bento ◽

O. V. Correa ◽

M. F. Pillis

Keyword(s):

Visible Light ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Dye Degradation ◽

Chemical Vapor ◽

Tio2 Films ◽

Green Method ◽

Doped Tio2 ◽

Glass Substrates ◽

N Doping ◽

Structural Surface

Abstract Nitrogen-doped TiO2 films were grown on borosilicate glass substrates at 400 °C by the metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for removing dye from water under visible light. The effect of N-doping on the structural, surface, and photocatalytic properties of films was evaluated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that 1.56 and 2.44 at% of nitrogen were incorporated into the films by varying the NH3 flux during the growth. Methyl orange dye degradation experiments showed that the N-doped films presented photoactivity under visible light. The film containing 2.44 at% of nitrogen exhibited the best photocatalytic behavior, with 55% of efficiency. Recyclability tests under visible light showed that the film efficiency dropped gradually after each test. N-TiO2 films grown by MOCVD have the potential to be used in environmental applications by removing pollutants using a green method under sunlight or even under internal illumination, although its reuse is limited.

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