Photocatalytic C60-amorphous TiO2 composites prepared by atomic layer deposition

Nanocomposites of TiO2 and single fullerene (C-60) molecule are prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD). To create nucleation sites for the ALD reaction, the bare fullerene is functionalized by H2SO4/HNO3 treatment, which results in C-60-SO3H. After a NaOH washing step the intermediate hydrolyzes into C-60-OH. This process and the consecutive ALD growth of TiO2 are monitored with FTIR, TG/DTA-MS, EDX, Raman, FTIR, XRD, and TEM measurements. Although the TiO2 grown by ALD at 80 and 160 degrees C onto fullerol is amorphous it enhances the decomposition of methyl orange under UV exposure. This study proves that amorphous TiO2 grown by low temperature ALD has photocatalytic activity, and it can be used e.g. as self-cleaning coatings also on heat sensitive substrates. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.