Effect of ytterbium doping concentration on structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 thin films

Abstract Ytterbium (Yb) doped TiO 2 thin films have been synthesized by sol-gel spin-coating technique. Films with different Yb concentrations such as 0.5, 1, 2, 4 wt% were deposited and the impact of the dopant concentration on their physicochemical properties was evaluated. The films were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis transmittance spectroscopy and photoresponse. The results showed that the incorporation of ytterbium modified the properties of TiO 2 films. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO 2 :Yb films was determined using methylene blue (MB) as the generic pollutant. Compared to undoped TiO 2 , 1 wt% Yb doped films exhibited higher photocatalytic activity toward MB degradation under UV light. When the amount of Yb dopant concentration was increased, there was a negative effect on the photosensitivity and photocatalysis.