Photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye X6G in water: A comparative study using nanostructured indium tin oxide and titanium oxide thin films

Indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium oxide (TiO2) thin films were deposited on glass substrates using electron beam evaporation. Amorphous and crystalline films can be obtained at different annealing temperatures. The thin films are characterized by UV-vis, XRD spectra and AFM analysis. The degradation of X6G (C.I. Reactive Yellow 2), commonly used as textile dye, can be photocatalyzed by ITO and TiO2 thin films. The degradation can be completed in the order of minutes at optimal operational parameters. Using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and comparison between photoactivity of both films reveal that, indium tin oxide can be used as a suitable alternative to TiO2 thin films for water treatment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.