Influence of Nb dopant on the structural and optical properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films

► We coated Nb-doped TiO2 films on glazed porcelain via sol-gel dip coating method. ► We examined coatings by degradation of MB solution and optical light transmittance. ► Coatings show enhanced photo-catalytic activity in 1 mol% Nb. ► Nb doping inhibited the grain growth, and which are found to inhibit the anatase to rutile phase transformation.