High photocatalytic activity of F-doped TiO2 film on glass

The photoreactivity of sol-gel (SG)-TiO2 films was enhanced significantly with addition of a small amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) into the starting solution. The promoting effect was confirmed in two separate experiments of the methylsiloxane monolayer oxidation and the photocurrent measurements. The results of film characterization indicated that the absorption coefficient for ultraviolet light (lambda < 360 nm) increases due to film densification and the crystallinity is improved upon F doping. The improvement in the photoreactivity was ultimately attributed to the increase in the rate at which the photogenerated charge carriers reach the surface in the photostationary state.