Photoacoustic spectroscopic analysis of photoinduced change in absorption of titanium(IV) oxide photocatalyst powders: A novel feasible technique for measurement of defect density

Photoabsorption properties of titanium(IV) oxide powders were investigated by photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy. The photoacoustic spectra obtained under steady-state ultraviolet irradiation showed appearance and growth of two kinds of PA signal bands, which were attributable to trivalent titanium species (Ti3+) and trapped holes or surface peroxide species. The saturation limit of the PA signal was estimated by analyzing the time course of Ti3+ signals and compared to the density of Ti3+ determined by a photochemical method. The results suggest that the photoacoustic spectroscopic technique is a feasible alternative method for estimation of Ti3+ as an empirical measure of defect density.