Boron-modified TiO2 thin films for visible-light-driven photocatalysis

• Published in: Bulletin of materials science Vol. 45; no. 3; p. 117
• Main Authors: Solis-Casados, Dora Alicia, Rodríguez-Nava, Estefany, Basurto, Rafael, Hernández-Balderas, Uvaldo, Klimova, Tatiana, Escobar-Alarcón, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangalore Indian Academy of Sciences 01.09.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Anatase; Boron; Catalytic activity; Chemical bonds; Chemical composition; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystallites; Engineering; Glass substrates; Light; Materials Science; Oxidation; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Photoelectrons; Photoluminescence; Pollutants; Raman spectra; Spectrum analysis; Spin coating; Thin films; Titanium dioxide; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; simulated solar light; Boron; XPS; TiO; MG degradation; thin films
• ISSN: 0973-7669; 0250-4707; 0973-7669
• DOI: 10.1007/s12034-022-02708-2

Boron-modified TiO 2 thin films with different boron contents were obtained by the spin coating technique. Chemical composition and bonding were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Raman, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies were used to characterize the deposited films. XPS results revealed that the boron content varied from 2.1 to 9.0 at% and that Ti-O-B bonds are formed at the highest content. Raman spectra showed that incorporation of B in the titania lattice improved the crystallinity of the anatase phase and promoted a decrease in the crystallite size. Photoluminescence characterization indicated a quenching of the electron–hole recombination rate due to boron incorporation. The photocatalytic activity improved with films modified with B under solar-simulated irradiation. Graphic abstract