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Improving Carbon‐Coated TiO 2 Films with a TiCl 4 Treatment for Photocatalytic Water Purification
Author(s) -
Odling Gylen,
Ivaturi Aruna,
Chatzisymeon Efthalia,
Robertson Neil
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201700867
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , photodegradation , carbon fibers , materials science , chlorine , visible spectrum , absorption (acoustics) , decomposition , thermal treatment , chemical engineering , photochemistry , thin film , hydrolysis , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite number , optoelectronics , engineering , metallurgy , composite material
By using a simple thermal decomposition route, carbon‐TiO 2 hybrid films have been synthesized from a catechol‐TiO 2 surface complex. The coated films display enhanced visible region absorption, owing to the thin (≈2 nm) layer of carbon encapsulating the TiO 2 . Although photocatalytically active under visible light alone, it is demonstrated that the activity of the carbon‐coated films can be improved further by a hydrolytic treatment with TiCl 4 , leading to the introduction of small TiO 2 particles (5–10 nm) and doping of chlorine into the structure. The combination of the carbon layer and TiCl 4 treatment gives increased photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of dyes, phenolic pollutants and the reduction of toxic Cr VI to relatively benign Cr III . In addition, the carbon‐coated films show improved bactericidal activity under UV irradiation, and hence have been successfully tested against the most common types of pollutant present in potential drinking waters.