Abstract
In this article, the TiO(2)/SiO(2)-np nanocomposite multilayer films were synthesized in a single step by reactive magnetron sputtering combined with a nanoparticle aerosol jet. The SiO(2) nanoparticles (SiO(2)-np) were introduced into a growing TiO(2) thin film with different time sequences during deposition for a fixed duration. The SiO(2)-np acting as impurities are introduced into the TiO(2) to willingly disturb its growth and to cause growth defects in order to increase the specific surface area of the photocatalytic film. In reason of the non-photoactive properties of the SiO(2) nanoparticles, their introduction allows us to study only the effects induced on the film morphology, microstructure, and photocatalytic properties by their incorporation. The fractographies and topographies reveal strong changes in the morphologies depending on the time sequence of the nanoparticle introduction in the thin films. The introduction of SiO(2)-np from the beginning of the TiO(2) film growth leads to the formation of high and large growth defects resulting in a highly diffusive surface. In addition, XRD analysis shows that the crystallite size tends to decrease as the composite film layer gets closer to the surface. Their photocatalytic performance is obtained by following the degradation of orange G dye under UV-visible irradiation. The photocatalytic performance is not only related to the specific surface area of the catalyst film, and the coverage of the photoactive phase on the surface, but also to the crystal quality of the photoactive phase. Furthermore, the samples exhibit good photostability, maintaining the same activity after four degradation cycles. In the specific case of TiO(2)/SiO(2)-np, it is demonstrated that the introduction of the nanoparticles only at the beginning of the film growth is more efficient than a continuous introduction. This result suggests that this original process allows the use of a relevant strategy for the nanoparticle introduction according to the required functionality.