Atomic layer deposition of TiO2-nanomembrane-based photocatalysts with enhanced performance

In this study, TiO2 and TiO2-ZnO nanomembranes were fabricated by atomic layer deposition using the three-dimensionally porous template and their photocatalytic properties were investigated. The nanomembranes were firstly deposited onto the surface of polyurethane porous sponge templates (sacrificial templates), followed by a calcination at 500 or 800 °C. Three-dimensionally porous structures as a replica of the porous sponge templates were thus achieved. By a pulverizing process, the porous structures were broken into small pieces, which were then employed as photocatalyst. Experimental results show that the degree of crystallinity is raised by increasing of the nanomembrane thickness due to the increase of the grain size with minimizing the number of grain boundaries in the thicker nanomembrane, which is beneficial to enhance the photocatalysis efficiency. On the other hand, the photocatalytic activity can also be improved by TiO2-ZnO composite, due to lower electron-hole recombination possibility and better carrier conductivity.