(617eb) Visible Light Photoactivity of Ion Implanted Titania Nanotubes

Titania nanotubes with spiral wall structure were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The prepared nanotubes are active for photocatalytic oxidation of organic molecules in water. Ion implantation of nonmetallic elements was used to modify the electronic bandgap structure of the nanotubes to obtain visible light active titania nanotube photocatalysts. The nature and chemistry of the implanted ions, the ion fluence and post-implantation treatment were shown to affect the bandgap structure and visible light photocatalytic activity of the ion-implanted titania nanotubes. UV-Vis, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy studies were done to examine the chemistry and optical properties of the prepared photocatalysts. Activity studies were done using 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) photocatalytic oxidation under visible light irradiation.