【Epitaxy Papers】Enhancement of Photocatalytic Performance of Ga₂O₃ Films with Different Thicknesses Under UVC Light

      Researchers from the Sivas Cumhuriyet University have published a dissertation titled "Enhancement of Photocatalytic Performance of Ga₂O₃ Films with Different Thicknesses Under UVC Light" in Catalysis Letters.

Abstract

      Photocatalytic oxidation is a promising green technology for the degradation of toxic organic pollutants in water, offering an eco-friendly alternative that primarily generates harmless by-products such as CO₂ and H₂O. In this study, gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) thin films with varying thicknesses were synthesized using RF magnetron sputtering to optimize their photocatalytic efficiency for environmental remediation. The films were structurally and optically characterized, revealing a clear correlation between film thickness and optical band gap. Notably, the band gap narrowed with increasing thickness, ranging from 5.13 to 4.95 eV for unannealed films, and from 5.03 to 4.91 eV for films annealed at 500 °C. According to the XRD results, diffraction peaks were observed at 35.9° and 63.78° in the 342.4 nm Ga₂O₃ film produced at 500 °C. These peaks correspond to the (111) and (403) planes of the β-Ga₂O₃ phase. Photocatalytic activity, evaluated through the degradation of organic pollutants under UVC illumination, reached its peak in the unannealed 126.1 nm film and the annealed 342.4 nm film. These results indicate that precise control of film thickness and thermal treatment can significantly enhance photocatalytic performance. The study confirms that Ga₂O₃ is a highly stable and effective photocatalyst, with strong potential for sustainable water purification and advanced optoelectronic applications such as UV photodetectors and solar-assisted catalytic systems.

DOI：

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-025-05032-6