Efficient preparation of nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 and V/TiO2 thin layers using microwave drying and/or microwave calcination technique

This study has demonstrated that the synthesis of TiO2 and V/TiO2 thin layers may be significantly improved and extended if microwave energy is employed during the drying and/or calcination step. Thin nanoparticulate titania layers were prepared via the sol–gel method using titanium n-butoxide as a precursor. As prepared films were then analyzed by means of various characterization techniques (Raman spectroscopy, UV/Vis, AFM, XPS) in order to determine their functional properties. The photocatalytic activities of prepared layers were quantified by the decoloring rate of Rhodamine B. All thermal treatments in microwave field were done in the same manner, by using an IR pyrometer in the microwave oven and monitoring the temperature of the heating. Nevertheless the microwave and thermally prepared materials were different. This in turn may lead to differences in their functional and also photocatalytic properties.