Surface modification of titania aerogel films by oxygen plasma treatment for enhanced dye adsorption

Publication date: 30 November 2015
Source:Thin Solid Films, Volume 595, Part A
Author(s): S. Alwin, X. Sahaya Shajan, Ranjini Menon, P.Y. Nabhiraj, K.G.K. Warrier, G. Mohan Rao
Titania aerogels were synthesized by sol–gel route followed by ambient pressure subcritical drying technique. The aerogels synthesized in the present work possess a maximum surface area of 252m²/g. The pore size distribution is between 2 and 30nm which confirms their mesoporosity. The oxygen plasma treatment on titania aerogel thin films improved the surface area up to 273m²/g and produced additional hydrophilic groups on the surface. It is confirmed by BET surface area, XPS and thermal analysis in conjunction with dye adsorption studies. After plasma treatment the dye adsorption capacity was increased 2.5 times higher than that of untreated aerogel film. The increased surface area and the hydrophilic groups generated on the titania aerogel surface during plasma treatment are responsible for enhanced dye adsorption. The overall nanoporous morphology of titania aerogel is preserved after plasma treatment.

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