Toward a Flexible and Efficient TiO₂ Photocatalyst Immobilized on a Titanium Foil

Abstract

Titanium foils of different thicknesses were anodized, and the photocatalytic activity of the resulting TiO 2 nanotube (NT) layers was determined. All of the titanium foils were anodized simultaneously under identical experimental conditions to avoid the influence of the aging of the anodizing electrolyte and other anodization parameters, such as voltage, time, and temperature. To characterize the microstructures of the titanium foils, we used electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stylus profilometry analyses. The adhesion was tested with a Scotch tape test and the morphology of the TiO 2 NTs was studied in detail using the SEM technique, while the surface areas of the TiO 2 NTs were determined using a three-dimensional (3D) optical interference profilometer. With X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the chemical composition and structure of TiO 2 oxide were established. The degradation of caffeine under UV irradiation was measured with a high-precision UV–vis–IR spectrophotometer, and the photoluminescence method was used to confirm the photocatalytic behavior of the TiO 2 NT layers. The influence of the intrinsic properties, including twinning and the grain boundaries of the starting titanium foils with similar chemical compositions, was determined and explained. Finally, we identified the main characteristics that define a highly effective and flexible photocatalyst.

Development and evaluation of an autonomous and portable solar water disinfection reactor based on TiO2 supported films

“…An alternative strategy which we will develop in this work is supporting the catalyst on an inert support. Several substrates have been used to support the catalyst; cellulose non-woven paper [3], fiberglass beads; metal fibers; steel mesh; steel plates; aluminum; and ceramics such as alumina or titanium foils [4], and many types of plastics [5][6][7]. In this work, based on the synthesis of the film deposited onto the PE polymer [6], we will develop and characterize a novel system designed to drive photocatalytic water disinfection along the day using solar radiation as a source of energy.…”