Journal article

Authors list: Einert, M; Hartmann, P; Smarsly, B; Brezesinski, T

Publication year: 2021

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume number: 11

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 2045-2322

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96911-6

Publisher: Nature Research

Abstract: 
In this study, the preparation of anatase TiO2 nanocrystals via a facile non-aqueous sol-gel route and their characterization are reported. The 3-4 nm particles are readily dispersable in aqueous media and show excellent photoreactivity in terms of rhodamine B degradation. The catalytic performance can be further increased considerably by doping with iron and UV-light irradiation as a pre-treatment. The effect of surface ligands (blocked adsorption sites, surface defects etc.) on the photoreactivity was thoroughly probed using thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry. Photoelectrochemical characterization of thin-film electrodes made from the same TiO2 nanocrystals showed the opposite trend to the catalytic experiments, that is, a strong decrease in photocurrent and quantum efficiency upon doping due to introduction of shallow defect states.

Harvard Citation style: Einert, M., Hartmann, P., Smarsly, B. and Brezesinski, T. (2021) Quasi-homogenous photocatalysis of quantum-sized Fe-doped TiO2 in optically transparent aqueous dispersions, Scientific Reports, 11(1), Article 17687. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96911-6

APA Citation style: Einert, M., Hartmann, P., Smarsly, B., & Brezesinski, T. (2021). Quasi-homogenous photocatalysis of quantum-sized Fe-doped TiO2 in optically transparent aqueous dispersions. Scientific Reports. 11(1), Article 17687. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96911-6