Thin films of titanium dioxide modified with MoO₃ nanostructures for photocatalytic applications

Abstract

TiO2 thin films modified with MoO3 nanostructures were obtained by the spin coating technique. The precursors solutions were prepared by the sol-gel technique adding colloids of Mo-based nanostructures prepared by laser irradiation of powders suspended in liquid media. It was found that MoO3 layered nanostructures form the prepared colloidal solutions. The obtained films were characterized by X-Ray Photoelectron, Raman, Ultraviolet– Visible and PL Spectroscopies, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. XPS reveal the presence of TiO2 and MoO3 in the films. Raman results show that crystalline TiO2 in its anatase phase is obtained. These results indicate that the films are forming composites in which nanostructures of molybdenum trioxide are incorporated in the titania film. Optical measurements show that the band gap energy for all samples vary from 3.3 to 3.5 eV.