{"title":"Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity of photodeposition-functionalized Ag/TiO2 and MnOx/TiO2 thin films","authors":"Bozhidar I. Stefanov","doi":"10.1016/j.cattod.2025.115447","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the impact of UV-assisted photodeposition functionalization on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) performance of sol–gel derived TiO<sub>2</sub> thin films deposited onto ITO-coated glass substrates. Ag and MnO<sub>x</sub> species were photodeposited at varying UV irradiation doses (<span><math><msup><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mi>UV</mi></msup></math></span>) in the 0 – 10 J cm<sup>−2</sup> range, and their effects on film properties were evaluated through photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements, and Methylene blue photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) screening. Results revealed that both Ag and MnO<sub>x</sub> functionalization exhibit an optimal <span><math><msup><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mi>UV</mi></msup></math></span> that maximizes PEC performance, with the Ag/TiO<sub>2</sub> photoanode at <span><math><msup><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mi>UV</mi></msup></math></span> = 5 J cm<sup>−2</sup> achieving a ∼20 % increase in photocurrent density compared to pristine TiO<sub>2</sub>. Conversely, MnO<sub>x</sub> functionalization consistently inhibited PEC and PCO activity, particularly at higher <span><math><msup><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mi>UV</mi></msup></math></span>. Mott–Schottky and EIS analyses confirmed improved charge separation and reduced charge-transfer resistance in optimally functionalized samples. Photodeposition-functionalized photoanodes outperformed dark-functionalized (0 J cm<sup>−2</sup>) ones, underscoring UV-assisted photodeposition as a flexible and effective surface modification strategy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":264,"journal":{"name":"Catalysis Today","volume":"459 ","pages":"Article 115447"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Catalysis Today","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920586125002652","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, APPLIED","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of UV-assisted photodeposition functionalization on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) performance of sol–gel derived TiO2 thin films deposited onto ITO-coated glass substrates. Ag and MnOx species were photodeposited at varying UV irradiation doses () in the 0 – 10 J cm−2 range, and their effects on film properties were evaluated through photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements, and Methylene blue photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) screening. Results revealed that both Ag and MnOx functionalization exhibit an optimal that maximizes PEC performance, with the Ag/TiO2 photoanode at = 5 J cm−2 achieving a ∼20 % increase in photocurrent density compared to pristine TiO2. Conversely, MnOx functionalization consistently inhibited PEC and PCO activity, particularly at higher . Mott–Schottky and EIS analyses confirmed improved charge separation and reduced charge-transfer resistance in optimally functionalized samples. Photodeposition-functionalized photoanodes outperformed dark-functionalized (0 J cm−2) ones, underscoring UV-assisted photodeposition as a flexible and effective surface modification strategy.
期刊介绍:
Catalysis Today focuses on the rapid publication of original invited papers devoted to currently important topics in catalysis and related subjects. The journal only publishes special issues (Proposing a Catalysis Today Special Issue), each of which is supervised by Guest Editors who recruit individual papers and oversee the peer review process. Catalysis Today offers researchers in the field of catalysis in-depth overviews of topical issues.
Both fundamental and applied aspects of catalysis are covered. Subjects such as catalysis of immobilized organometallic and biocatalytic systems are welcome. Subjects related to catalysis such as experimental techniques, adsorption, process technology, synthesis, in situ characterization, computational, theoretical modeling, imaging and others are included if there is a clear relationship to catalysis.