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TiO2/WO3 photoactive bilayers in the UV–Vis light region

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Abstract

In this work, photoactive bilayered films consisting of anatase TiO2 and monoclinic WO3 were synthesized by a sol–gel route. Titanium isopropoxide and tungsten hexachloride were used as metal precursors and deposition was achieved by spin-coating on Corning glass substrates. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, UV–Vis, and Raman spectroscopy, as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy. The prepared immobilized catalysts were tested for their photocatalytic performance by the decolorization of methylene blue in aqueous matrices, under UV–Vis light irradiation. The annealing process influenced the crystallinity of the bilayered films, while the concentration of the tungsten precursor solution and the position of the tungsten trioxide layer further affected their photocatalytic performance. In particular, the photocatalytic performance of the bilayered films was optimized at a concentration of 0.1 M of the WO3 precursor solution, when deposited as an overlying layer on TiO2 by two annealing steps (~76% methylene blue decolorization in 300 min of irradiation versus ~59% in the case of a bare TiO2 film). In general, the coupled layer catalysts exhibited superior photoactivity compared to that of bare TiO2 films with WO3 acting as an electron trap, resulting, therefore, in a more efficient electron–hole separation and inhibiting their recombination.

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Acknowledgements

This project is implemented through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning”, Action Archimedes III and is co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund) and Greek national funds (National Strategic Reference Framework 2007–2013). Ms. Aleka Manousaki and Ms. Maria Androulidaki are also gratefully acknowledged for assistance with SEM and PL measurements, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    E. Vasilaki

  2. Center of Materials Technology and Photonics, School of Engineering, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, 71004, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    E. Vasilaki, D. Vernardou, G. Kenanakis & N. Katsarakis

  3. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Vassilika Vouton, P.O. Box 1385, 711 10, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    G. Kenanakis, M. Vamvakaki & N. Katsarakis

  4. Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    M. Vamvakaki

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  1. E. Vasilaki
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  2. D. Vernardou
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  3. G. Kenanakis
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  4. M. Vamvakaki
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Correspondence to E. Vasilaki.

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Vasilaki, E., Vernardou, D., Kenanakis, G. et al. TiO2/WO3 photoactive bilayers in the UV–Vis light region. Appl. Phys. A 123, 231 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-017-0837-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-017-0837-1

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