[en] Multifunctional WO_3−x–TiO₂ composite thin films have been prepared by sol–gel synthesis and shown to be good visible light photocatalysts whilst retaining a desirable underlying blue colouration. The WO_3−x–TiO₂ composite thin films were further enhanced using silver nanoparticles synthesised in-situ on the surface from the photo-degradation of silver nitrate solution. Thin films were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Raman, Scanning electron microscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy and shown to photo degrade stearic acid, using white light λ = 420–800 nm. - Highlights: ► WO_3−X TiO₂ composite thin films were synthesised by sol–gel methods. ► Blue tinted glass is desirable for the value added glass industry. ► Silver nanoparticle island formation enhances the activity of the films. ► Blue tinted “value added” coated glass is now possible.

[en] TiO_2 thin films prepared by sol–gel synthesis were N-doped by post treating with liquid ammonia and annealing at 500 °C. Characterisation by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the anatase crystal type was retained and present in all samples. Scanning electron microscopy showed that treatment with liquid ammonia had no significant effect on the film morphology. Functional testing under filtered while light conditions involving water contact angle, and the photo destruction of both Resazurin and Stearic acid showed the ammonia treated samples to be active visible light photocatalysts in contrast to the pure TiO_2 and the blank controls. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy studies indicate the presence of interstitial nitrogen (N_1_s = 400 eV) suggesting that the origin of the enhanced photocatalytic activity is most likely due to oxygen vacancies created by the interstitial nitrogen incorporation. This synthesis method utilises a simple, inexpensive and highly effective post treatment route to N-dope TiO_2 and produces visible light photocatalysts with potential applications in self-cleaning and healthcare environments. - Highlights: • Synthesis and characterisation of N-doped TiO_2 thin films • N-doping by a post treatment with liquid ammonia • Enhanced photocatalytic activity • Easy enhancement of current TiO_2 based technologies

[en] Thin films of vanadium arsenide were deposited via the dual-source atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition reactions of VCl₄ or VOCl₃ with ^tBuAsH₂. Using the vanadium precursor VCl₄, films were deposited at substrate temperatures of 550–600 °C, which were black-gold in appearance and were found to be metal-rich with high levels of chlorine incorporation. The use of VOCl₃ as the vanadium source resulted in films being deposited between 450 and 600 °C and, unlike when using VCl₄, were silver in appearance. The films deposited using VOCl₃ demonstrated vanadium to arsenic ratios close to 1:1, and negligible chlorine incorporation. Films deposited using either vanadium precursor were identified as VAs using powder X-ray diffraction and possessed borderline metallic/semiconductor resistivities. - Highlights: • Formation of VAs films via atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition. • Films formed using VCl₄ or VOCl₃ and ^tBuAsH₂. • Powder X-ray diffraction showed that crystalline VAs films were deposited. • Films from VOCl₃ had a V:As ratio close to 1 with negligible Cl incorporation. • Films were silver and possessed borderline metallic/semiconductor resistivities

[en] The use of the APCVD reaction of WCl₆ with ethanol to produce tungsten oxide films (3600–6700 nm thick) for use as gas sensors is presented. The response of these films to varying concentrations of ethanol and NO₂ at varying temperatures has been examined. A comparison of the CVD sensors to a thick film (∼60 µm) screen-printed sensor has shown that the CVD sensors have a faster rate of response, a stable sensing response and faster return to baseline with no drift at the conditions examined

[en] Silica microfiber wool was systematically functionalized in order to provide an extremely water repellent and oleophilic material. This was carried out using a two-step functionalization that was shown to be a highly effective method for generating an intense water repulsion and attraction for oil. A demonstration of the silica wools application is shown through the highly efficient separation of oils and hydrophobic solvents from water. Water is confined to the extremities of the material, while oil is absorbed into the voids within the wool. The effect of surface functionalization is monitored though observing the interaction of the material with both oils and water, in addition to scanning electron microscope images, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The material can be readily utilized in many applications, including the cleaning of oil spills and filtering during industrial processes, as well as further water purification tasks—while not suffering the losses of efficiency observed in current leading polymeric materials. (paper)

[en] Highlights: • Growth rates of 100 nm min^-1 achieved, 8 times faster than current lab based aerosol assisted CVD methodologies • Resistivity of 5.1 Ω□^-1 demonstrated for best performing film, superior to common commercial standards • High quality TCO materials can be synthesised in under 5 minutes, cf. 30-60 mins for other literature reports • Shows the potential of scaling aerosol assisted CVD for industrial applications Thin films of fluorine doped tin oxide were deposited, by an aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition route, to study the effect of scaling the growth rate. The effect of precursor concentration on the growth rate of the films and the properties of deposited films were compared. The films were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV/vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Hall effect measurements. A maximum film growth rate of ca. 100 nm min^{− 1} was observed, which is significantly faster than previously reported aerosol assisted studies. This method shows the ability of aerosol assisted methods to deliver high growth rates whilst maintaining the ease of doping and control over stoichiometry.

[en] The synthesis of a polycrystalline powder sample of iron doped orthorhombic titanium oxynitride, Ti_2.92Fe_0.01O_4.02N_0.98, on the scale of 0.7 g has been achieved. This was conducted by the unusual route of delamination from a steel substrate of a thin film deposited using atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition. The structure of the titanium oxynitride is presented, determined from a combined analysis of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. The use of neutron diffraction allows the position of the oxygen and nitrogen ions in the material to be reported unambiguously for the first time. In this study Ti_2.92Fe_0.01O_4.02N_0.98 is found to crystallise in the Cmcm space group, iso-structural pseudobrookite, with lattice parameters a=3.81080(6) Å, b=9.6253(2) Å, and c=9.8859(2) Å, and contains partial oxygen–nitrogen ordering. Of the three anion sites in this structure one is exclusively occupied by oxygen, while the remaining two sites are occupied by oxygen and nitrogen in a disordered manner. Testing indicates that this iron doped titanium oxynitride is a metastable phase that decomposes above 700 °C into TiN and TiO₂, the thermodynamic products. - Graphical abstract: We report the synthesis of Ti_2.92Fe_0.01O_4.02N_0.98 deposited as a thin film using atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition onto stainless steel, which is then delaminated to produce a polycrystalline powder sample. This powder sample was used in a neutron diffraction experiment, and analysis of this data has allowed the position of the oxygen and nitrogen ions in the material to be reported unambiguously for the first time. Ti_2.92Fe_0.01O_4.02N_0.98 is found to crystallise in the Cmcm space group iso-structural pseudobrookite and contains partial oxygen–nitrogen ordering. Highlights: ► Partial oxygen and nitrogen ordering has been observed using neutron diffraction. ► A large powder sample has been made by removal of a CVD film from a steel substrate. ► Structural details of Ti_2.92Fe_0.01O_4.02N_0.98 are reported for the first time.

[en] Atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition of VCl₄, WCl₆ and water at 550 ^oC lead to the production of high quality tungsten doped vanadium dioxide thin films. Careful control of the gas phase precursors allowed for tungsten doping up to 8 at.%. The transition temperature of the thermochromic switch was tunable in the range 55 ^oC to - 23 ^oC. The films were analysed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their optical properties were examined using variable-temperature transmission and reflectance spectroscopy. It was found that incorporation of tungsten into the films led to an improvement in the colour from yellow/brown to green/blue depending on the level of tungsten incorporation. The films were optimized for optical transmission, thermochromic switching temperature, magnitude of the switching behaviour and colour to produce films that are suitable for use as an energy saving environmental glass product.

[en] W-doped vanadium dioxide thin films were deposited by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition. Samples were characterised with several different techniques (i.e. X-ray Diffraction, Raman, Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis), to determine their composition and morphology. A study of their optical properties was also performed, to test the suitability of these materials as intelligent window coatings. Good changes in the transmittance and reflectance were observed above the transition temperature (decrease and increase respectively). A linear decrease in the transition temperature with increasing tungsten content was also seen, lowering it to room temperature

[en] Efficient oil–water separation is achieved using an optimized superhydrophobic material, generated by the zeolitic roughening and subsequent hydrophobic surface treatment of silica filter membranes. The material is both highly rough and intrinsically hydrophobic, resulting in superhydrophobic membranes which show a substantial affinity for hydrophobic solvents and oils. The membranes are syringe-mounted, suction pressure is applied and the selective collection of oil is achieved. The membranes are extremely robust, which is a result of the zeolitic roughening process, they possess small pores (0.7 μm), as a result these devices can perform complete separation and operate at a range of suction pressures. The devices could be readily used in a range of real-world applications, including oil spill clean-up and industrial filters. (paper)