Modification of photocatalytic TiO2 thin films by electron beam irradiation

Noble metal-modified TiO2 films were prepared by electron beam deposition of Pt, Pd, Au and Ag on the surface of TiO2 films with diameters ranging from <1 nm to 500 nm. The morphology of the films was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FMSEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The photocatalytic capability of the films were tested and compared by degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solutions under both UV and visible light illumination.