LAUSR

Abstract Though applications of TiO2 thin films in environmental pollution remediation are promising, up to date, photocatalytic efficiency is still a challenge. Herein, we report enhanced photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 thin films towards degradation of organic pollutants in water due to their modification with zirconium. Highly stable, uniform transparent thin films were prepared using evaporation induced self-assembly via dip-coating. The effects of Zr addition on the morphology, structure, crystallinity and photoactivity of the catalyst were investigated. Incorporation of Zr to Ti lattice positions in the TiO2 anatase crystals increased stability of anatase phase and enhanced the charge separation as confirmed by photoluminescence measurements. X-ray diffraction analysis proved the formation of ZrO2 as additional phase for Zr/Ti ratios above 0.1. The resulting nanocomposite formation influences the crystallite size as well as the N2 adsorption of the films. Optimized Zr doped TiO2 thin films with a Zr/Ti ratio of 0.05 showed almost complete photocatalytic degradation of chloridazon, phenol and 4-chlorophenol within 4 h of illumination; pure TiO2 thin films recorded much lower activities for all these pollutants.