Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2Modified by e-Beam Irradiation

The influence of electron beam irradiation on photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ thin films was investigated. $TiO_2$ thin films were prepared by anodization of Ti foil, and they were then subjected to an 1 MeV electron beam. Changes in physical properties and photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ before and after e-beam irradiation were investigated. The crystallinity of the synthesized materials was investigated by X-ray diffraction, and the oxidation states of both titanium and oxygen were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The density of donor ($N_d$) and flat band potential ($E_{fb}$) were investigated by Mott-Schottky analysis, and photocurrent was measured under a 1kW Xenon lamp illumination. After e-beam irradiation, significant change of Ti oxidation state was observed. $Ti^{3+}/Ti^{4+}$ ratio increased mainly due to the surface reduction by electron, and photocurrent was observed to increase with e-beam irradiation.