Presentation Information
[1C04]Oxygen Vacancy Engineering for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity in TiO2 Thin Films
*Mitsuhiro Honda1, Kodai Moriyama1, Ryuhei Tanaka1, Tsuyoshi Ochiai2, Tomoyuki Tamura1 (1. Nagoya Institute of Technology, 2. Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology)
This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic performance in anatase-phase titanium dioxide thin films through defect engineering. The films were prepared using radio frequency magnetron sputtering under carefully controlled plasma conditions to introduce oxygen vacancies. Structural and defect analysis was conducted using photoluminescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. PL spectroscopy and XRD revealed defect states, including F and F+ centers, with F+ centers positively correlating with photocatalytic activity. Surface defects significantly boosted photocatalysis, up to 13 times higher than conventional TiO2. TEM–EELS and first-principles calculations confirmed the presence of four-coordinated Ti species and oxygen vacancies in the amorphous surface layer, which facilitate charge trapping and molecular adsorption. These findings highlight the importance of surface amorphization and defect control in designing efficient and durable photocatalysts.