Solvent-controlled preparation and photocatalytic properties of nanostructured TiO2 thin films with different morphologies

• Nanostructured TiO2 thin films with different morphologies were obtained at low temperature.
• The effects of the solvent on the morphologies of the products were investigated.
• The effects of the solvent on the phtocatalytic activity were investigated.

A low-temperature growth method of nanostructured TiO2 thin films with different morphologies was reported. Rod-like, grass-like and nanosheet structured films have been successfully fabricated just by adjusting the ratio of different solvents. The effects of the solvent on the morphologies of the TiO2 nanostructures were investigated. The formation mechanism of different morphologies was proposed based on the experiment results. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared samples for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water was evaluated under UV illumination. Results showed that the solvents exhibited important effect on the morphologies and photocatalytic activity of as-prepared nanostructured titania films.

Low-temperature growth of nanostructured TiO2 thin films was presented by a solvent-controlled method. Nanoparticle structured films in anatase phase have been successfully fabricated with some adjustment. The effects of the solvent were investigated and the formation mechanism was proposed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide