In situ synthesis and performances of potassium dititanate nanofilm

A potassium dititanate film nano produced in situ with high photocatalytic activity was prepared by sol-gel method using Ti(n-OC₄H₉)₄ and CH₃COOK as precursors at lower temperature. The process of crystal growth of potassium dititanate film was investigated by TG-DSC, XRD, Raman spectrum and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The photoelectrochemical response of the film was determined by electrochemical method. It is shown that the starting reaction temperature is 259°C. K₂Ti₂O₅ nuclei are formed in the solid-state reaction stage at 414°C. The uniform compact and transparent. K₂Ti₂O₅ nanofilm is obtained in the crystallization stage at 414 °C~600 °C. The surfaces of K₂Ti₂O₅ particles of films are very smooth, and the crystal growth is in a preferred orientation along a crystal face of K₂Ti₂O₅. The K₂Ti₂O₅ film can efficiently decompose the alkylsiloxane monolayers under UV irradiation in air, the photo-catalytic activity of K₂Ti₂O₅ film is higher than that of TiO₂ film prepared by solgel method, and K₂Ti₂O₅ film has strong photo-excitation and photo-response.