Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most important materials to be employed as a photocatalyst for environmental protection and other applications. Owing to its certain important combination of properties, TiO2 in the form of thin film has been found to be more attractive for a great variety of applications including photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water as well as in air, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), anti-fogging, superhydrophilic, photochromic, and optical applications. Although, a great number of techniques have been employed so far to fabricate TiO2 thin films, the cost of these thin films has not only been found to be dictated by the sophistication of the preparation method involved but also by the quick recombination of photo-generated electron/hole pairs, backward reactions involved, and the poor response of TiO2 to the visible light. Even though, metal loading, metal ion doping, anion doping, dye sensitization, composite semiconducting phenomenon, metal ion-implantation, addition of sacrificial reagents and carbonate salts to the reaction mixtures, etc., have been employed to improve the efficiency of the photocatalytic applications of TiO2 thin films, a clear-cut relationship between the properties of TiO2 thin films and their performance in a given application is yet to be established. In this article, some of the latest developments accomplished in the fabrication techniques, in the characterization and in the understandings of property and performance relationship of TiO2 thin film have been presented and discussed while citing certain of important references.
Keywords: Degradation of organic pollutants, dye-sensitized solar cell, TiO2 thin film, water splitting.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Role of nanomaterials in fabrication of coatings, Machining and Joining
The application of nanoscience has brought about a revolution in the field of mechanical engineering by providing novel materials, boosting manufacturing processes, and generating cutting-edge products. The purpose of this special issue is to investigate the enormous impact that nanoscience has had on mechanical engineering, with a particular emphasis on ...read more
Advanced Inorganic Nanocomposites and Their Emerging Applications
This special issue collection will highlight developments on the recent trends about the synthesis of metal oxides, nanoclusters, biomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, nanocrystals, nanocomposites, etc. and their applications in electrochemical systems, tissue regeneration, energy storage and harvesting, sensors, etc. The novelty of the methods in the chemical synthesis and their characterizations, ...read more
Applicability of Nanotechnology for Performance Enhancement of Clean Energy Technologies
Population growth, industrialization, and improvement in living quality would lead to further increase in energy demand in near future. Regarding the disadvantages of fossil fuels such as fluctuations in their price, high emissions of greenhouse gases and restriction of their sources, it is crucial to use and exploit alternative energy ...read more
Graphene and 2D Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
This thematic issue will discuss the recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for different energy technologies. Graphene possesses a high surface area, and stable structure and exhibits many interesting electronic, optical, and mechanical properties due to its 2D crystal structure. Graphene is of both fundamental interest and suitable for a wide ...read more
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