Abstract
Photocatalysis of oblique columnar TiO2 thin films has been investigated as a function of thickness using photobleaching of methylene blue (MB). The degradation rate of MB depends on the thickness of the films, although no significant differences in the columnar morphology, crystallinity and optical absorption are found. The relation between the degradation rate and the thickness is well described by a simple model, in which the degradation rate at a certain depth is proportional to the intensity of ultra violet (UV) light. The photocatalytic active thickness is estimated at approximately 200 nm. Thus the interior surface of the oblique columnar TiO2 thin films works well as photocatalyst.
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Acknowledgments
We are grateful to S. Kinoshita for SEM observations. This work was supported by The 21st Century COE Program “Center of Excellence for Research and Education on Complex Functional Mechanical Systems” and by The Mazda Foundation's Research Grant.
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Suzuki, M., Kishimoto, K., Maekita, W. et al. Photocatalysis of Columnar TiO2 Thin Films. MRS Online Proceedings Library 849, 190–195 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-849-KK8.7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-849-KK8.7