Abstract
Transparent co-doped TiO2 thin films have been fabricated by sol-gel dip-coating. The doping is achieved using low concentrations of neodymium (Nd), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). A significant effect of doping is noticed on the morphology and optical properties of thin films. XRD analysis confirms the formation of a pure anatase phase with a deterioration of the crystallinity upon doping. The co-doped TiO2 thin films present larger crystallite size compared to other films. The surface roughness revealed by AFM increases from 0.9 nm for pure TiO2 up to 5 nm for doped thin films. UV-vis spectroscopy shows that the bandgap energy slightly decreased for co-doped Ag-Nd/TiO2 and Cu-Nd/TiO2. Photocatalytic degradation of MB significantly decreases upon doping. A mechanism based on combined effects of doping, annealing and nature of substrate is proposed to explain the photodegradation behaviour.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 784-794 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Surface Engineering |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Ag-doped TiO
- Anatase phase
- Cu-doped TiO
- Nd-doped TiO
- photocatalytic activity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry