Effect of alkaline dopant Ba²⁺on TiO₂ thin films: Insights of synthesis and properties

Ba doped TiO(2 )thin films are fabricated by the sol-gel dip-coated method. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of the anatase phase. With the increase of Ba doping, the size of the crystallite decreases. Crystallite size is in the range of 11-10 nm. The bandgap of pure TiO2 and Ba doped TiO2 thin films is in the range of 3.15-2.94 eV and is beneficial to enhance solar cell efficiency and water treatment. The hopping process explains dielectric characteristics that obey the Maxwell-Wagner model and Koop's theory. Their low dielectric constant is applicable to high-frequency devices. The ferromagnetism was recorded for all Ba-doped TiO2 thin films. The antibacterial activity of Ba-doped TiO2 is higher than that of pure TiO2 , owing to the smaller particle size and larger specific surface area, which results in increased surface reactivity to light and water adsorption. Ba-doped TiO2 can be applied in nanomedicine.