Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol by TiO sub(2) Thin Films Prepared by Sputtering

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Vol. 25; no. 2; p. 83
• Main Authors: Dumitriu, D, Bally, A R, Ballif, C, Hones, P, Schmid, P E, Sanjines, R, Levy, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06-03-2000
• ISSN: 0926-3373

Direct current reactive sputtering techniques were used to generate TiO sub(2) thin films on a variety of supports, including glass, silicon, alumina, and glass coated with indium-tin oxide. Resulting samples were then evaluated using X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy techniques. Changes in the parameters of the reactive gas were used to generate different TiO sub(2-x) stoichiometries, crystal structures, and morphologies. Tests were then enacted to evaluate the photocatalytic characteristics of the samples for the degradation of phenol. Samples prepared using an Ar-H sub(2)O mixture as the reactive gas provided the best efficiency with respect to phenol mineralization. The most efficient thin films were produced on indium-tin oxide supports.