TiO2-based nanopowders and thin films for photocatalytical applications

TiO2-based nanopowders are elaborated by flame spray synthesis, FSS from organic precursors of titanium and chromium with the Cr content changing from 0 to 15 at.%. Well-crystallized nanopowders with high specific surface area SSA reaching 107 m2/g for undoped TiO2 and 177 m2/g for TiO2 + 15 at.% Cr are obtained. Thin films are deposited by rf reactive sputtering from metallic Ti and Ti-Cr targets in Ar + O2 flow controlled atmosphere. The adjustable area of Cr/Ti allows to obtain up to 16 at.% Cr in TiO2 thin films. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron spectroscopy, TEM, atomic force microscopy, AFM and optical spectrophotometry over the ultraviolet UV and visible VIS range of the light spectrum have been performed in order to characterize the nanomaterials. The particle size of nanopowders is within the range of 5-42 nm. Anatase is the predominating polymorphic form while the amount of rutile increases with Cr content to reach of about 25 wt.% at 15 at.% Cr. The post-deposition annealing of thin films in air at temperatures from 770 K to 1280 K modifies the phase composition, leads to irreversible transformation from anatase to rutile and affects the surface roughness. Structural and optical properties of TiO2-based nanopowders and thin films are compared. The effect of grain size and the level of chromium doping on the band gap E(g) is discussed. Photocatalytic activity of the nanopowders is tested for degradation of methylene blue, MB.