RBS analysis of substoichiometric TiO2-anatase thin films for visible-light photocatalysis

The anatase phase of TiO2 is the most promising photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation. However, due to the large anatase band gap energy the possibility of using visible sunlight as energy source for the photocalatysis activation is ruled out and ultraviolet (UV) radiation with a wave length below the critical limit is thus required. Inducing defects in the anatase crystalline structure in the form of oxygen substoichiometry may theoretically reduce this large band gap energy. This paper focuses on the determination of the stoichiometry of TiO2 thin films and its influence on the photodegradation properties.