In the framework of the European project FP7 Natiomem(Natiomem (Nano-structured TiON Photo-Catalytic Membranes for Water Treatment) (Read moreEn savoir +),we have developed TiO2 (band gap=3.2 eV)thin films doped by nitrogen with a well defined thickness and crystalline structure for photocatalytic properties. The introduction of nitrogen in the crystalline structure of TiO2 allows to decrease the band gap so that the TiO2 coatings can absorb the visible light.
Recently we have developed TiO2 coatings by atmospheric pressure plasma jets(APPJ) which present a much higher specific surface as compared to magnetron sputtered coatings. The latter present better photocatalytic properties. A recent publication allows to show how TiO2 with silver clusters composite coatings have been prepared by the same APPJ process (read more in atmospheric pressure plasmas) .
1) W. Smith, H. Fakhouri, J. Pulpytel, and F. Arefi-Khonsari, Spatial Control of the Optical and Crystalline Properties of TiO2 in Photoactive TiO2/TiN Bi-Layer Thin Film Stacks , Journal of Applied Physics 11 (2012) 024301.
2) W. Smith, H. Fakhouri, J. Pulpytel, S. Mori, R. Grilli, M.A. Baker, F. Arefi-Khonsari, “Visible light water splitting via oxidized TiN thin films”, J. Phys. Chem. C 116 (2012) 15855-15866.
3) H. Fakhouri, J. Pulpytel, W. Smith, A. Zolfagharib, H.R.Mortahebb, F. Meshkinib, R. Jafari, E. Sutter, F. Arefi-Khonsari, Control of the visible and UV light water splitting and photocatalysis of nitrogen doped TiO2 thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 144 (2014) 12– 21.
4) H. Fakhouri, F. Arefi-Khonsari; A. K Jaiswal, J.Pulpytel, Enhanced visible light photoactivity and charge separation in TiO2/TiN bilayer thin films , Applied Catalysis A: General 492 (2015) 83–92.
5) Tao Peng, Jerome Pulpytel, Inna Horovitz, Abhay Kumar Jaiswal, Dror Avisar, Hadas Mamane, Jerald Anthony Lalman, Farzaneh Arefi‐Khonsari
One‐step deposition of nano‐Ag‐TiO2 coatings by atmospheric pressure plasma jet for water treatment: Application to trace pharmaceutical removal using solar photocatalysis, Plasma Process Polym. 2019;e1800213 https://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201800213