Facile Synthesis of Ti/TiN/TiON/TiO2 Composite Particles for Plasmon-Enhanced Solar Photocatalytic Decomposition of Methylene Blue

The present work studies the interrelation of the structural-phase composition and morphology of composite Ti/TiN/TiON/TiO2 microparticles with their catalytic properties under UV, visible, and solar light irradiation. An efficient method for the synthesis of composite Ti/TiN/TiON/TiO2 microparticles is proposed. The method uses the effect of low-temperature nitrogen plasma of an electric arc in an open atmosphere on titanium microparticles. Photocatalytic activity of fabricated composite microparticles under visible and sunlight irradiation is demonstrated. The mechanism of photocatalysis is proposed.