Photocatalysis in the visible range of sub-stoichiometric anatase films prepared by MOCVD

Anatase phase of titanium oxide is the most promising photocatalyst material for organic pollutant degradation. However, due to its large band gap energy (3.2 eV) it is not viable to use sunlight as an energy source for the photocatalysis activation, and so, ultraviolet (UV) radiation below the wavelength of 380 nm is required. This paper focuses on the experimental demonstration of the reduction of this large band gap energy by inducing defects in the anatase structure under the form of oxygen sub-stoichiometry. TiO2 thin films were prepared in a metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) reactor. The samples stoichiometry was measured by the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) technique. Optical characterisation was also performed and the photodegradation activity in the visible range was tested using nonylphenol, which is one of the most harmful pollutants present in waste waters.