Abstract
To compare the photocatalytic performances of titania for purification of waste water according to applied voltages and doping, $TiO_2$ films were prepared in a 1.0 M $H_2SO_4$ solution containing $NH_4F$ at different anodic voltages. Chemical bonding states of F-N-codoped $TiO_2$ were analyzed using surface X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity of the co-doped $TiO_2$ films was analyzed by the degradation of aniline blue solution. Nanotubes were formed with thicknesses of 200-300 nm for the films anodized at 30 V, but porous morphology was generated with pores of 1-2 ${\mu}m$ for the $TiO_2$ anodized at 180 V. The phenomenon of spark discharge was initiated at about 98 V due to the breakdown of the oxide films in both solutions. XPS analysis revealed the spectra of F1s at 684.3 eV and N1s at 399.8 eV for the $TiO_2$ anodized in the $H_2SO_4-NH_4F$ solution at 180 V, suggesting the incorporation of F and N species during anodization. Dye removal rates for the pure $TiO_2$ anodized at 30 V and 180 V were found to be 14.0% and 38.9%, respectively, in the photocatalytic degradation test of the aniline blue solution for 200 min irradiation; the rates for the F-N-codoped $TiO_2$ anodized at 30 V and 180 V were found to be 21.2% and 65.6%, respectively. From the results of diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy (DRS), it was found that the absorption edge of the F-N-codoped $TiO_2$ films shifted toward the visible light region up to 412 nm, indicating that the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ is improved by appropriate doping of F and N by the addition of $NH_4F$.