Photodegradation of Basic Blue by highly efficient nanocrystalline titania films

Transparent nanocrystalline titania films have been deposited on glass slides by using sol–gel procedures carried out in the presence of surfactant Triton X-100. Films were calcined at 550°C to ensure destruction of all organic residues but they still retained structures that consist of small nanoparticles and very high active surface areas, larger than expected for such high heating temperatures. Characterization of the films has been made by various techniques. These films are very efficient for photodegradation of the dye Basic Blue, either in air or in aqueous solutions.