Photo-fixation of SO2 in nanocrystalline TiO2 films prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering

We report on photo-fixation of SO2 onto nanostructured TiO2 thin films prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering. The films were exposed to 50 ppm SO2 gas mixed in synthetic air and illuminated with UV light at 298 and 473 K. The evolution of the adsorbed SOx species was monitored by in situ Fourier transform infrared specular reflection spectroscopy. Significant photo-fixation occurred only in the presence of UV illumination. The SO2 uptake was dramatically enhanced at elevated temperatures and then produced strongly bonded surface-coordinated SOx complexes. The total SOx uptake is consistent with Langmuir adsorption kinetics. The sulfur doping at saturation was estimated from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to be ~ 2.2 at.% at 473 K. These films were pale yellowish and had an optical absorption coefficient being ~ 3 times higher than in undoped film. The S-doped films exhibit interesting oleophobic properties, exemplified by the poor adherence of stearic acid. Our results suggest a new method for sulfur doping of TiO2 to achieve combined anti-grease and photocatalytic properties.