Influence of substrate on structural properties and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 films

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were successfully grown on glass (TiO2/glass) and fluorine tin oxide (TiO2/FTO) substrates by using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The as-prepared films were characterised and compared by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and photocatalytic test. It was found that the film deposited on FTO has better crystallinity, rougher superficial morphology, narrower optical bandgap and higher photocatalytic efficiency. The relationship between the factors and the photocatalytic performance has been analysed. Besides, it has been found that the internal electric field developed at the interface of TiO2/FTO may also play a positive effect on the improvement of the photocatalytic efficiency.