Unveiling point defects in titania mesocrystals: a combined EPR and XPS study

Titania mesocrystals, prepared using a polyethylene template, were studied by a combination of electron microscopy, XPS and EPR techniques. The electronic structure and local environment of point defects in the TiO2 mesocrystals were deduced from experimental and simulated EPR data. The Ti3+/F centers and oxygen defects were shown to be the most photosensitive. The presence of carbon radicals was also demonstrated. Since the point defects govern TiO2 photosensitivity and photocatalytic activity in the visible spectral range, the data obtained provide new insights into photocatalytic reactions engineering using titania mesocrystals