Preparation and characterization of nanoparticle Ru:TiO2 films and their photocatalytic activity

Nanoparticle Ru:TiO2 films were prepared by a sol-gel process using RuCl3, Ti(OBu)4 as raw material, the as-prepared film samples were also characterized by TG-DTA, SEM, and SPS testing techniques. TiO2 nanoparticles experienced two processes of phase transition, i.e. amorphous to anatase and anatase to rutile at the calcining temperature range from 400 to 800 °C. TiO2 nanoparticles calcined at 700 vC had similar composition, structure, morphology and particle size with the internationally commercial P-25 TiO2 particles. Thus, the conclusion that 700 °C might be the most appropriate calcining temperature during the preparation process of nanoparticle Ru:TiO2/ITO film photocatalysts could be made by considering the main factors such as the properties of TiO2 nanoparticles, the adhesion of nanoparticle Ru:TiO2 film to glass substrate, and the surface characteristics and morphology of nanoparticle Ru:TiO2/ITO film for the practice view. The SPS demonstrates that the effects of the quantum size on optical property were greater than that of the Coulomb and surface polarization. In addition, during the experimental process of the photocatalytic degradation phenol, the photocatalytic activity of nanoparticle Ru:TiO2/ITO film with five layers calcined at 700 °C is the highest.