Synthesis of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films by liquid phase deposition technique and its application for photocatalytic degradation studies

A transparent, high purity titanium dioxide thin film composed of densely packed nanometer sized grains has been successfully deposited on a glass substrate at 30 degrees C from an aqueous solution of TiO2-HF with the addition of boric acid as a scavenger by liquid phase deposition technique. From X-ray diffraction measurement, the deposited film was found to be amorphous and turns crystalline at 500 degrees C. The deposited film showed excellent adherence to the substrate and was characterized by homogeneous flat surface. TiO2 thin films can be used as a photocatalyst to clean up organohalides, a class of compound in pesticides that pollute the ground water. Photocatalytic degradation experiments show that indanthrene golden orange dye undergoes degradation efficiently in presence of TiO2 thin films by exposing its aqueous solution to ultraviolet light. The suitable surface structure and porosity increases the photocatalytic activity. It was also observed that hemin doped TiO2 thin films break up organohalides at a surprisingly high rate under visible light.