Surface modification of TiO2 film photocatalyst by atmospheric RF plasma

Titanium dioxide films were deposited on glass substrate by sol-gel processing and treated by atmospheric RF plasma to improve its photocatalytic activity. The influence of plasma treatment on surface morphology, chemical structure and optical characteristics of TiO2 films was investigated. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 films was evaluated by the decolorization and COD reduction of Reactive Red X-3B solution in a photocatalytic reactor with a 125 W UV lamp. After 30 min irradiation, the decolorization rate and COD reduction rate of dye solution with 100 mg/L were increased by 35.1% and 20.4%, respectively. The results demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 films treated by atmospheric RF plasma exhibited more efficient for the degradation of Reactive Red X-3B.