Novel TiO2 films with organized porosity and tailored doping as efficient visible light photocatalysts

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Detlef Bahnemann; Professor Dr. Michael Wark
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2007 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 39338352

Ordered porous films of TiO2 with strictly controlled morphological properties (hierarchical micro/meso/macroporosity, film thickness) and structure (crystallinity) will be prepared by the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The incorporation of metal ions, sulphur dopants, nanoparticles of metals (Pt, Ag) or narrow band semiconductors (MoS2, WS2) into the pores will enhance the absorption of visible light and the photon yields. Due to a combination of high crystallinity of TiO2 in the walls, high inner surface and tailored doping the obtained composites are expected to show high photocatalytic activity under both UV- and visible illumination in photocatalytic reactions. As test reactions such performed in gas phase, in liquid phase, in solid phase as well as microbiologic cell destruction will be employed enabling beside of the assessment of the quality of the obtained composite films as novel photocatalyst also a judgement of the suitability of the reactions as standard tests. Special attention will be devoted to the deep understanding of the surface and adsorption properties of the textured surfaces. Finally, a model relating the photocatalytic results with the structural and surface properties of the ordered porous TiO2 films and their doping will be constructed. This will enable the construction of e.g. novel prospective self-cleaning and self-sterilizing surfaces.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Czech Republic
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr.-Ing. Josef Krysa; Dr. Jiri Rathousky