Customizing nanotubular titania for photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Semiconductor TiO2 photocatalysis is a heterogeneous catalysis, where the photons of the sun or artificial light source are activating the catalyst that enters in reactions. The targeted real-world applications are in environmental protection and remediation such as wastewater treatment, air purification and decomposition of harmful organic pollutants. In this talk, I present the synthesis of nanotubular, thin TiO2 coatings with altered morphology and crystallinity made by anodization technique. The influence of the anodization parameters and post-synthesis annealing conditions on the photocatalytic methyl orange dye decomposition was assessed. Different morphology, crystallinity and introducing a dopant into lattice increase electron transport and electron lifetime which further improve photocatalytic activity.