Enhanced photocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticles modified TiO2 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

Ag-TiO2 nanostructured thin films with silver volume fraction of 0–40% were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering. The microstructure, surface topography, and optical properties of the films were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. Photocatalytic activity of the films was evaluated by light-induced degradation of methyl orange (C14H14N3NaO3S) solution using a high pressure mercury lamp as lamp-house. The relation of photocatalytic activity and silver content was studied in detail. It is found that silver content influences microstructure of TiO2 thin films, and silver in the films is metallic Ag (Ag0). Photocatalytic activity of the films increases with increasing silver content up to 5 vol.% Ag and then decreases to values significantly still bigger than that of pure TiO2 thin films. Silver nanoparticles significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 films. The better separation between electrons and holes on silver modified TiO2 thin films surface allowed more efficiency for the oxidation and reduction reactions. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the decrease of energy gap of the films and the increase of oxygen anion radicals O2− and reactive center of surface Ti3+ on silver modified TiO2 thin films surface.