Photocatalytic activity of sol–gel-derived mesoporous TiO2 thin films for reactive orange 16 degradation

AbstractThis study investigates the photocatalytic activity of sol–gel-derived mesoporous TiO2 thin films for reactive orange 16(RO16) degradation. Both surfactant- and non-surfactant-assisted sols were prepared and coated on different glass slides. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, surface scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis transmittance spectra, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms for their properties, while the photocatalytic activities of the TiO2 thin films were evaluated in the degradation of RO16. The surfactant-assisted films showed surface uniformity, reduced particle size, and high photocatalytic activity compared to non-surfactant assisted films. The effects of withdrawal speed on films’ transparency and the number of coatings on UV light absorption and their photocatalytic activities are systematically explained for the surfactant-assisted films. Though there was a continuous increase in the efficiency of the mass of TiO2 per unit area and UV light abso...