Solid-Gas Phase Photo-Catalytic Behaviour of Rutile and TiO (1 < n < 2) Sub-Oxide Phases for Self-Cleaning Applications.

The solid-gas phase photo-catalytic activities of rutile TiO₂ and TiO (1 < n < 2) sub-oxide phases have been evaluated. Varying concentrations of Ti defects were introduced into the rutile polymorph of titanium dioxide through carbo-thermal reduction at temperatures ranging from 350 °C to 1300 °C. The resulting sub-oxides formed were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, impedance spectroscopy and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.