Intrinsic and Extrinsic Modifications of Titanium Dioxide Based Photocatalytic Nanomaterials

This thesis focuses on TiO2 based nanomaterials with various intrinsic and extrinsic modifications for photocatalysis. The expansion of industrialization causes energy problems and negative effects on the environment. Therefore, experts call for sustainable solutions. By utilizing light, photocatalysis offers potrntial sustainable method for facilitating chemical reactions. TiO2 itself is a promising photocatalyst. However, it suffers from two drawbacks which are low visible light absorption and fast recombination. Nanoscale materials offer a pathway to mitigate these drawbacks. In this regard, this thesis explores nanoscale modifications of TiO2 based photocatalysts. First, an extrinsic modification by a combination of TiO2 nanoparticles in a composite lead to increases in photocatalytic activity. Here, TiO2 nanoparticles fabricated with a Haberland type gas aggregation cluster source were combined with Ag nanoparticles as well as a ZnO thin film. Furthermore, the intrinsic modification via defects in TiO2 was explored by subjecting photocatalytic TiO2 with H2 and Ar gas. Here, an increase in photocatalytic performance was observed when combining H2 and Ar. Analysis indicated that Ar likely has an influence on the defective structure which in turn influences the photocatalytic activity. Additionally, the thesis explored the method of nanoparticles fabricated via gas aggregation. Here, TiOx-CeOx heterostructure nanoparticles were produced by combining a gas aggregation cluster source with segmented Ti/Ce targets. Lastly, the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic modifications was explored by fabricating a composite containing a defective TiO2 thin film obtained from hydrogenation and an organic top layer.

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