Visible light-activated, sulfur-doped TiO2 (S-TiO2) nanostructured porous films were prepared by a modified sol-gel method for drinking water treatment. In order to efficiently control the chemical reactions (hydrolysis, condensation, and ionization steps), special interest was paid to the solvent choice and its physicochemical constants (dielectric constant, dipole moment, vapor pressure, and carbon atom side-chains). These parameters determine the solution stability and might also influence the selection of deposition process as well as the optimization of corresponding film characteristics including particle size, porosity, morphology, and optoelectronic properties.In this study, four polar protic solvents were used to prepare stable and homogeneous catalyst solutions for developing S-TiO2 films. A nonionic surfactant was employed as a template as well as pore-directing agent. A sulfur-containing precursor was used both as a sulfur source and reagent for in-situ formation of water. The synthesized S-TiO2 films were characterized with UV-vis diffuse reflectance, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, AFM, SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, and porosimetry. To evaluate their photocatalytic activity, degradation of cyanotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was carried out in water, under visible light illumination. Results confirming the effect of the solvents on the synthesis of S-TiO2 films as well as their visible light-induced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MC-LR will be presented.

Solvent effects on sulfur-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> nanostructured porous films for water treatment

246th National Meeting (2013)

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Solvent effects on sulfur-doped TiO2 nanostructured porous films for water treatment

Solvent effects on sulfur-doped TiO₂ nanostructured porous films for water treatment