Electrophoretic Deposition of TiO2 Thin Films for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water

Abstract

In this study, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was used to deposit titanium dioxide(TiO2) thin films on conducting glass substrates for application in photocatalytic degradation oforganic pollutants in water. Phenol was used as a model pollutant. The EPD suspension relatedparameters and deposition conditions were first optimized for good quality film deposits. Thesuspension stability and deposition conditions that result in good adherence of TiO 2 particles to thesubstrate with homogeneous film coatings are ethanol, a TiO2 solid loading of 4 wt%, a 0.2 wt%iodine concentration in the solvent and a deposition voltage of 20 V in a time of 3.5 minutes. Thephotocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin films decreased exponentially with the ultraviolet light (UV)illumination time and it was also dependent on film thickness, and sintering temperature of theTiO2 thin films. Highest rate of photocatalytic activity was observed at an optimal film thicknessof 95 ± 2 µm sintered at 300 °C. The implications of these results are discussed for design ofinexpensive wastewater purification systems for light industries as well for semi urban smallcommunities.