Photocatalytic performance of Fe-, Ni-, or Cu-ion implanted TiO2 films under UV light, visible light and sunlight irradiation

TiO2 thin films were fabricated on microscope glass slides by sol-gel method. Then Fe, Ni or Cu ions were implanted in the films. XRD, XPS and UV-Vis spectrophotometer technologies were used to characterize the films. The results of photodegradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution demonstrate: (1) the films are of visible light response photocatalytic activity; (2) under UV light and sunlight excitation, all the films present less efficient than pure TiO2 film. The photodegradation effects of transition metal ion implanted TiO2 thin films were discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.