Mesoporous anatase TiO2 films: use of Ti K-XANES for the Quantification of the Nanocrystalline Character and Substrate Effects in the Photocatalysis Behavior

ANGELOMÉ, P. C.; ANDRINI, L.; CALVO, M. E.; REQUEJO, F. G.; BILMES, S. A.; GALO JUAN DE AVILA ARTURO SOLER ILLIA

JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C

Año: 2007 vol. 111 p. 10886 - 10893

1932-7447

Mesoporous titania thin films with accessible porosity were synthesized on conductive glass or silicon substrates. Ti-K-edge XANES was used to assess Ti local coordination. Analysis of the pre-edge region permitted to accurately quantify the degree of crystalline nature of the inorganic walls upon thermal treatment. The substrate has a marked effect: film crystallization takes places at temperatures 100°C lower in the crystalline Si, with respect to conductive glass. Accordingly, remarkable photocatalytic properties are found in well-crystallised mesoporous titania deposited onto conductive silicon.