TiO 2 /ZrO 2 THIN FILMS SYNTHESIZED BY PLD IN LOW PRESSURE N-, C-AND/OR O-CONTAINING GASES: STRUCTURAL, OPTICAL AND PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

Doped TiO 2 /ZrO 2 films were obtained by Pulsed Laser Deposition method under different synthesis conditions. The onset of absorption spectra was red shifted for the films obtained in N 2 containing gas mixtures, while a broad absorption in visible was observed in the case of films deposited in CH 4 atmosphere. The presence of O-Ti-N bonds revealed by XPS corresponded to the highest photocatalytic performance. XPS spectra of the samples obtained in N 2 /CH 4 gas mixtures evidenced a more effective incorporation of nitrogen in the structure due to oxygen deficiency. Nevertheless, no atomic carbon presence in the TiO 2 /ZrO 2 structures has been detected