Photocatalytic and water-splitting properties of TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 films in the visible light region

• Published in: AIP advances Vol. 11; no. 7; pp. 075118 - 075118-7
• Main Authors: Tai, Ly Ngoc, Long, Pham Duy, Hong Le, Ngo Thi, Van Hong, Le, Linh, Pham The, Khuyen, Bui Xuan, Tung, Bui Son, Lam, Vu Dinh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 01-07-2021; AIP Publishing LLC
• Subjects: Disintegration; Electron microscopes; Methylene blue; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Thin films; Titanium dioxide; Water splitting
• ISSN: 2158-3226; 2158-3226
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0058116

The structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 thin films grown by a hydrothermal method were studied by using an x-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive x ray, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results indicated that all films were of single-phase and the Ag presence enhanced catalytic and water-splitting performances in the visible light region. In particular, the methylene blue solution was disintegrated up to 99% after 12 and 8 h for TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 films, respectively. Meanwhile, the splitting efficiency increased from 0.3% for TiO2 to 1% for Ag–TiO2. These performances demonstrate the great potential of Ag–TiO2 films in photocatalytic and water-splitting applications.