S.S. Kumbhar

Visible light catalysis of rhodamine B using nanostructured Fe2O3, TiO2 and TiO2/Fe2O3 thin films

The Fe(2)O(3), TiO(2) and TiO(2)/Fe(2)O(3) composite films are deposited using spray pyrolysis method onto glass and FTO coated substrates. The structural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic properties of Fe(2)O(3), TiO(2) and TiO(2)/Fe(2)O(3) thin films are studied. XRD analysis confirms that films are polycrystalline with rhombohedral and tetragonal crystal structures for Fe2O3 and TiO(2) respectively. The photocatalytic activity was tested for the degradation of Rhrodamine B (Rh B) in aqueous medium. The rate constant (-k) was evaluated as a function of the initial concentration of species. Substantial reduction in concentrations of organic species was observed from COD and TOC analysis. Photocatalytic degradation effect is relatively higher in case of the TiO(2)/Fe(2)O(3) than TiO(2) and Fe(2)O(3) thin film photoelectrodes in the degradation of Rh B and 98% removal efficiency of Rh B is obtained after 20min. The photocatalytic experimental results indicate that TiO(2)/α-Fe(2)O(3) photoelectrode is promising material for removing of water pollutants.

Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of benzoic acid using Au doped TiO2 thin films

Highly transparent pure and Au doped TiO2 thin films are successfully deposited by using simple chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The effect of Au doping onto the structural and physicochemical properties has been investigated. The PEC study shows that, both short circuit current (Isc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) are (Isc=1.81mA and Voc=890mV) relatively higher at 3at.% Au doping percentage. XRD study shows that the films are nanocrystalline in nature with tetragonal crystal structure. FESEM images show that the film surface covered with a smooth, uniform, compact and rice shaped nanoparticles. The Au doped thin films exhibit indirect band gap, decreases from 3.23 to 3.09eV with increase in Au doping. The chemical composition and valence states of pure and Au doped TiO2 films are studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation effect is 49% higher in case 3at.% Au doped TiO2 than the pure TiO2 thin film photoelectrodes in the degradation of benzoic acid. It is revealed that Au doped TiO2 can be reused for five cycles of experiments without a requirement of post-treatment while the degradation efficiency was retained.

Fabrication of ZnFe2O4 films and its application in photoelectrocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid.

ZnFe2O4 thin films are successfully deposited onto bare and fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated quartz substrate using the spray pyrolysis method. The structure and morphology of ZnFe2O4 photoelectrodes were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the polycrystalline nature of films with a spinel cubic crystal structure. The AFM micrographs shows the granular nature of the films. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss shows dispersion behavior as a function of frequency measured in the range from 20Hz to 1MHz. Photoelectrocatalysis degradation of salicylic acid using ZnFe2O4 photoelectrode under sunlight illumination has been investigated. The result shows that the degradation percentage of salicylic acid on ZnFe2O4 photoelectrodes is reached 49% under neutral conditions after 320min illumination. The decrease in values of COD from 19.4mg/L to 6.4mg/L indicates there is mineralization of salicylic acid with time.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of sprayed Au doped ferric oxide thin films for salicylic acid degradation in aqueous medium

Various doping percentage of Au were successfully introduced into the Fe2O3 photocatalysts via a spray pyrolysis method different. The effect of Au doping on photoelectrochemical, structural, optical and morphological properties of these deposited thin films is studied. The PEC characterization shows that, the photocurrent increases gradually with increasing Au content initially up to 2at.% indicating the maximum values of short circuit current (Isc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) are (Isc=90μA and Voc=220.5mV) and then decreases after exceeding the optimal Au doping content. Therefore, the photocurrent of Au doped Fe2O3 photocatalysts can be adjusted by the Au content. Deposited films are polycrystalline with a rhombohedral crystal structure having (104) preferred orientation. SEM and AFM images show deposited thin films are compact and uniform. The photocatalytic activities of the Fe2O3 and Au:Fe2O3 photocatalyst were evaluated by photoelectrocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid under sunlight irradiation. The results show that the Au:Fe2O3 thin film photocatalyst exhibited about 45% more degradation of pollutants than the pure Fe2O3. Thus, in Au doped Fe2O3 photocatalysts, the interaction between Au and Fe2O3 reduces the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and improve the photocatalytic activity.

Structural and electrical properties of barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films obtained by spray pyrolysis method

Abstract Barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films have been prepared using the spray pyrolysis method. The films were deposited onto a glass substrate at varying substrate temperature ranging from 250 to 350 °C with the interval of 50 °C. The structural, morphological, electrical and dielectric properties of the deposited films have been studied. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the films with a cubic crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed a good agreement of the thin films stoichiometry with BaTiO3. A presence of Ba, Ti and O in the BaTiO3 thin films was observed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the heterogeneous distribution of cubical grains all over the substrate. The grain size decreased with an increase in substrate temperature. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss showed the dispersion behaviour as a function of frequency, measured in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz. The AC conductivity (σac) measurement showed the linear nature of obtained films, which confirms conduction mechanism due to small polarons. Impedance spectroscopy has been used to study the electrical behaviour of BaTiO3 ferroelectric thin films. The ferroelectric hysteresis loop has been recorded at room temperature.